Part II — BASE DISTRICT REGULATIONS

Article 10 — Automobile Sales/Service and Custom Manufacturing District (AS-CM)

Walnut Creek Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Walnut Creek

10-2.2.1001 Purpose and Intent.

The purpose of the automobile sales/service and custom manufacturing zone is to retain and promote a welldefined automobile sales and service area, which also allows custom manufacturing uses in the North Downtown Specific Plan area. The intent is to provide a distinct commercial district which reserves land area primarily for auto dealers, auto service, other related auto-oriented retail uses, and custom manufacturing.

The automobile sales/service and custom manufacturing zone is designed for the area just north of Ygnacio Valley Road where many auto dealerships and automobile service businesses currently exist. Automobile dealerships are advocated as the primary use. Auto services and auto-oriented retail uses which promote the vitality and expansion of automobile dealerships are also encouraged. Custom manufacturing uses are allowed within the North Downtown Specific Plan area, and are encouraged along Makers' Row on Pine Street. Other uses may be accessory to the above uses or which can demonstrate no adverse effects on the viability of the area may also be considered. (§10, Ord. 2200, eff. 12/6/19)

10-2.2.1002 Land Use Regulations. Revised 4/25

In the following table, the letters in the "Use Regulation" column are defined as follows:

P = A permitted use.
L = A use permitted subject to certain limitations prescribed by the "Use
Regulations" that immediately follow the table.
U = A use permitted on approval of a Conditional Use Permit.

Letters in parentheses in the "Additional Regulations" column are described in the "Additional Regulations" section following the "Use Regulations." Where a Use Regulation or a letter in parentheses is opposite a use classification heading, the referenced regulations shall apply to all use classifications under the heading. Land uses not listed (indicated by strikeout) are not permitted.

LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
A. Residential Use Classifcations (H)
1. Adult Day Care Home P
2. Congregate Living Facility L(1)
3. Family Day Care Home
a. Small Family Day Care Home P (A)
b. Large Family Day Care Home P (A)
4. Group Residential L(1)
5. Multiple Family Residential
6. Residential Care Home P
7. Accessory Dwelling Unit
8. Single Family Residential
9. Supportive Housing L(21), L(22)
10. Transitional Housing L(21)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
B. Commercial Use Classifcations (B)
1. Ambulance Services
2. Animal Sales and Service
a. Animal Hospital
b. Animal: Retail Sales and Grooming
c. Horse Stables
d. Kennel
3. Artist Studio
4. Banks and Savings and Loans
a. Banks and Savings and Loans
(1) With Drive-up Service
(2) With Automated Teller Machine
5. Catering Services L(3)
6. Commercial Cannabis Business
a. Commercial Cannabis Cultivation
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
b. Commercial Cannabis Distribution
c. Commercial Cannabis Manufacturing
d. Commercial Cannabis Retail Dispensary
(1) With Cannabis Delivery
e. Nonstorefront Delivery-Only Operation
f. Commercial Cannabis Testing Laboratory
7. Communication Facilities L(4)
8. Custom Manufacturing L(5)
9. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments (I)
a. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments P
(1) With Wine and Beer Service Ending at or Before
11:00 p.m.		 L(6)
(2) With Wine and Beer Service Ending After 11:00
p.m.		 L(7)
(3) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending at
or Before 11:00 p.m.		 L(6)
(4) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending
After 11:00 p.m.		 L(7)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
(5) With Live Entertainment P (C) (I)
(6) With Dancing P (C) (I)
(7) With Take-out Service P
(a) Drive-up U
(8) With Permanent Outdoor Seating L(8)
(9) With Of-site Distribution U (D)
(a) Micro-brewery U (D)
10. Food and Beverage Sales
a. Food and Beverage Sales
b. Convenience Market
(1) With Gasoline Sales
c. Specialty Food Shops L(9)
(1) With Of-site Distribution L(3) (D)
11. Funeral and Interment Services
12. Health Clubs L(4)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
13. Home Improvement Sales and Service
14. Horticultural Establishment
15. Lumber and Building Material Yard
16. Maintenance and Repair Service/Small
Equipment
17. Mini Storage
18. Nursery
19. Ofces, Business and Professional
a. Ofces, Business and Professional L(10)
(1) Ofces, Medical L(10)
20. Parking, Commercial Facility P (E)
21. Pawn Shop
22. Personal Improvement Services L(4)
23. Personal Services
24. Recreation and Entertainment, Commercial
a. Within a Building
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
b. Outside a Building
25. Research and Development Services
26. Retail Sales/Rental L(11)
27. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Service
a. Automobile Rental/Leasing L(12)
b. Automobile Sales/New and Used L(12)
c. Automobile Washing L(13)
d. Automobile Wrecking
e. Service Stations L(13) (F)
(1) Automobile Washing L(13) (F)
f. Vehicle/Equipment Repair L(12)
(1) Limited Vehicle Service L(12)
g. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Rentals L(13)
h. Vehicle Storage
28. Visitor Accommodations
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
a. Bed and Breakfast Inns
b. Hotels
c. Motels
C. Industrial Use Classifcations
1. General Industry
2. Limited Industry
3. Research Development Industry
4. Wholesaling, Distribution and Storage
D. Agricultural Use Classifcations
1. Animal Husbandry
2. Crop Production
E. Community Facility Use Classifcations
1. Adult Day Care Facility U
2. Child Day Care Facility (Day Care Center) U (A)
3. Clubs and Lodges
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
4. College, Public or Private
5. Cultural Institutions
a. Cultural Institutions
b. Natural History/Science Museum
6. Emergency Medical Care/No Inpatient
7. Government Ofces L(4)
8. Hazardous Waste Management Facility
9. Heliports
10. Hospitals
a. Acute Care
b. Other
11. Housing for the Homeless/Emergency Shelters P (J)
12. Low Barrier Navigation Center L(22) (J)
13. Maintenance and Service Facilities
14. Park and Recreation Facilities P
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
15. Public Parking Facilities P
16. Public Safety Facilities P
17. Public Transit Terminals
18. Recycling Facilities
a. Collection Facility
(1) Reverse Vending Machine L(14) (G)
(2) Small Collection Facility L(14) (G)
(3) Large Collection Facility U (G)
b. Processing Facility U (G)
19. Religious Assembly
20. Residential Care Facility
21. Schools, Public or Private
22. Skilled Nursing Facilities
23. Utilities, Major L(15)
24. Utilities, Minor P
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
F. Accessory Uses
1. Accessory Living Quarters
2. Accessory Structure L(16)
3. Accessory Uses L(17)
a. Garage Sales
b. Home Occupations L(18)
c. Personal Cannabis Cultivation
G. Temporary Uses (B)
1. Arts and Crafts Shows, Outdoor L(19)
2. Christmas Tree Sales L(19)
3. Civic/Community Events L(19)
4. Farmers Markets L(19)
5. Live Entertainment Events L(19)
6. Outdoor Seating/Eating and Drinking Estab L(8)
7. Pumpkin Sales L(19)
LAND USE LAND USE USE REGULATIONS
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
8. Retail Sales, Outdoor L(19)
9. Swap Meets, Non-Recurring L(19)
10. Swap Meets, Recurring L(19)
11. Street Fairs L(19)
12. Vendor Carts L(20)
USE REGULATIONS
L(1) Permitted subject to the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit and compliance with L(4).
L(2) Repealed by Ord. 2248.
L(3) Permitted as an accessory use associated with Delicatessens, Bakeries or an Eating and
Drinking Establishment, otherwise permitted subject to L(4).
L(4) Permitted; provided, that the facility will be located on foors above the ground level.
L(5) Permitted within the plan area boundaries of the North Downtown Specifc Plan; otherwise
not permitted.
L(6) Permitted upon approval of an Administrative Use Permit pursuant to Article 12 of Part III of
the Zoning Ordinance.
L(7) Not permitted if located within 600 feet of the boundary of any school (as defned in Article
4, Sec. 10-2.1.403.E) if providing full alcoholic beverage service. Otherwise, permitted upon
approval of a Conditional Use Permit pursuant to Article 12 of Part III of the Zoning
Ordinance.

USE REGULATIONS

USE REGULATIONS USE REGULATIONS
L(8) Outdoor seating which requires the construction of permanent structures or alterations to
existing buildings shall be subject to Design Review (see Part IV, Article 12. Design Review).
A Temporary Encroachment Permit is required for the temporary use of the public right-of-
way for the placement of tables and chairs.
L(9) Delicatessens and bakeries are permitted. All other uses within this classifcation are not
permitted.
L(10) Permitted; provided, that the ofce is an accessory use to a permitted use, otherwise
permitted on foors above the ground level. If the facility is to be located on the ground foor,
the use is permitted upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit. In approving the Use
Permit, the Planning Commission shall fnd that:
a) The building was designed as an ofce or retail building and has been utilized as an ofce
building throughout its entire existence. (Evidence shall be presented to the Planning
Commission to document that this condition applies. Acceptable evidence shall include
DRC and/or PC minutes and resolutions indicating the type of construction or proposed use
and leasing records); and
b) There is no material expansion, major structural alteration or major reconstruction
proposed as part of the use permit request, notwithstanding tenant improvements; and
c) The proposed use will have no adverse efects on the long-term viability of the Auto
Sales/ Service and Custom Manufacturing Zoning District. Permitted; provided, that the
facility will be located on foors above the ground level.
L(11) Retail sales/rental of automotive parts and accessories are permitted. All other uses within
this classifcation are not permitted.
L(12) All facilities which have repair, loading, storage and other visually detractive activities which
would be visible from the North Main Street corridor shall be reviewed and approved by the
Design Review Authority pursuant to Part IV, Article 12, Design Review. Design review
approval shall not be granted by the Design Review Authority where such activities cannot
be adequately screened so as to preclude visibility from the North Main Street corridor.
L(13) Permitted subject to L(11) and the approval of a Conditional Use Permit.
L(14) Permitted subject to the approval of the Community Development Director.

USE REGULATIONS

USE REGULATIONS USE REGULATIONS
L(15) Electrical substations, aboveground electrical transmission lines, water pumping stations
and switching buildings are permitted uses. All other uses within this classifcation are not
permitted.
L(16) Accessory structures are permitted subject to Sec.
10-2.2.1003.Property Development
Regulations.
L(17) See the use regulation for the primary use classifcation.
L(18) Home Occupations are permitted subject to the approval of a Home Occupation Permit (see
Sec.
10-2.3.107.Home Occupations).
L(19) Permitted subject to the approval of a Temporary Activity Permit (see Sec.
10-2.3.118.
Temporary Activity Permits).
L(20) Vendor carts associated with a Civic/Community event are permitted subject to approval of
a Temporary Activity Permit (see Sec.
10-2.3.118.Temporary Activity Permits). All other
vendor carts are not permitted.
L(21) Supportive and transitional housing are subject only to those requirements and restrictions
that apply to the residential use classifcation under which they operate (e.g., multiple-family
residential, single-family residential, residential care home, etc.).
L(22) Permitted by right when meeting the requirements of Section
65651 of the California
Government Code and all objective standards applicable to multiple-family residential uses.
L(23) Permitted by right when meeting the requirements of Section
65662 of the California
Government Code.
ADDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS
(A) See Part III, Article 6. Child Day Care Facilities.
ADDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS
--- ---
(B) See Sec.
10-2.3.121.Regulations for Outdoor Sales, Service, Display.
(C) See Municipal Code, Title
4.Chapter 11. Public Dance Permits.
(D) See Sec.
10-2.3.123.Ofsite Distribution, Eating and Drinking Establishments and Specialty
Food Shops.
(E) See Part III, Article 2. Of-Street Parking and Loading.
(F) See Part III, Article 8. Concurrent Sales of Gasoline and Alcoholic Beverages and Sec.
10-
2.3.122.Service Stations; Convenience Markets with Gasoline Sales.
(G) See Part III, Article 7. Recycling Facilities.
(H) See Part III, Article 9. Inclusionary Housing.
(I) See Part III, Article 12. Alcoholic Beverage Sales.
(J) See Part III, Article 16. Objective Standards for Emergency Shelters and Navigation Centers.

(Ord. 1877, eff. 1/6/96; §2, Ord. 1880, eff 2/15/96; §9, Ord. 1927, eff. 7/16/98; §§23, 24, 25, Ord. 2109, eff. 6/15/12; §14, Ord. 2129, eff. 7/3/14; §6, Ord. 2145, eff. 3/4/16; §§7(1), (48), Ord. 2183, eff. 9/8/18; §3, Ord. 2188, eff. 3/8/19; §10, Ord. 2200, eff. 12/6/19; §5(1), Ord. 2216, eff. 7/2/22; §2, Ord. 2237, eff. 6/21/24; §4, Ord. 2239, eff. 7/5/24; §3(12), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24; §3(2), Ord. 2248, eff. 2/21/25)

10-2.2.1003 Property Development Regulations.

The following schedule prescribes development regulations for the Automobile Sales/Service and Custom Manufacturing District. The symbol "NA" indicates that there is no restriction for that particular development regulation or it is not applicable in this District. Numbers in parentheses refer to the "Additional Development Regulations" following the schedule. If the "Development Regulation" column is blank, the development regulation is then outlined in the "Additional Regulation" footnote.

CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS		 ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
A. Minimum Lot Area NA
B. Minimum Lot Width NA
C. Minimum Lot Frontage NA
D. Minimum Lot Depth NA
E. Minimum Setbacks D(1) D(2)
1. Front NA
2. Side NA
3. Corner Side NA
4. Rear NA
F. Maximum Height D(3)
G. Density
1. Residential NA
2. Commercial D(4)
3. Mixed Use NA
H. Maximum Lot Coverage NA
CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS		 ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
I. Maximum Floor Area Ratio D(4)
J. Design Review See Sec.
10-2.4.1202.		 D(5)
K. Landscaping See Part III, Article 11. D(6)
L. Storage Space for Residential Units NA
M. Fences and Walls See Sec.10-2.3.104.
N. Antennas See Sec.
10-2.3.120.
O. Nonconforming Conditions See Part III, Article 3.
P. Elevators See Sec.
10-2.3.124.
Q. Recycling Facilities See Part III, Article 7.
R. Parking and Loading See Part III, Article 2.
S. Signs See Title
10,Chapter 8.
T. Preservation of Trees See Title
3,Chapter 8.
U. Hillside Performance Standards See Part III, Article 4.
V. Stormwater Control See Title
9,Chapter 16.

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
D(1) See Sec.
10-2.3.106.Exclusion of Rights-of-Way.
D(2) Refer to the Zoning Map for Future Street Line Setbacks.
D(3) Within the plan area boundaries of the North Downtown Specifc Plan: Refer to Figure 4.1
(Base Intensity and Building Height) and Figure 4.3 (FAR and Height Bonus Potential with
Provision of Community Benefts) of the North Downtown Specifc Plan. Where identifed in
Figure 4.3, the Planning Commission or City Council may permit additional building height
upon approval of a community beneft agreement pursuant to Part IV, Article 17, Community
Beneft Agreements.
Outside of the plan area boundaries of the North Downtown Specifc Plan: Refer to the
Zoning Map.
D(4) Within the plan area boundaries of the North Downtown Specifc Plan: Refer to Figure 4.1
(Base Intensity and Building Height) and Figure 4.3 (FAR and Height Bonus Potential with
Provision of Community Benefts) of the North Downtown Specifc Plan. Where identifed in
Figure 4.3, the Planning Commission or City Council may permit additional FAR upon
approval of a community beneft agreement pursuant to Part IV, Article 17, Community
Beneft Agreements.
Outside of the plan area boundaries of the North Downtown Specifc Plan: Refer to the
General Plan, Chapter 4, Figure 8 (Core Area Commercial Floor Area Ratios).
D(5) New buildings with an ofce component shall be designed to assure that future uses shall
be related to auto sales, auto retail or auto service. An application for design review that
does not include an ofce component design to assure said future uses shall be denied.
D(6) No building shall be constructed or moved onto any building site, nor shall any building be
enlarged unless a minimum of fve percent (5%) of the lot net area is landscaped.
Landscaped areas shall consist of at least ffty percent (50%) live plant material, and any
remaining area shall be rock, gravel, pebbles, stones, mulch or other natural, non-living
material. Where multiple parcels are developed, the minimum landscaping applies across
the project as a whole.

(§2, Ord. 2037, eff. 12/17/04; §12, Ord. 2070, eff. 6/20/2008; §14, Ord. 2108, eff. 4/7/12; §10, Ord. 2200, eff. 12/6/19; §8, Ord. 2209, eff. 3/19/21; §4, Ord. 2239, eff. 7/5/24)

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The Walnut Creek Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2251, passed August 16, 2025.

Disclaimer: The City Clerk's Office has the official version of the Walnut Creek

10-2.2.1101

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