Part II — BASE DISTRICT REGULATIONS

Article 13 — Community Commercial District (C-C)

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

10-2.2.1301 Purpose and Intent.

The purpose of the community commercial zone is to provide locations for planned and integrated retail shopping areas in close proximity to residential neighborhoods. The intent is to create areas with a wide variety of commercial establishments allowing for convenient day to day shopping and services.

The Community Commercial zone is designed for the existing neighborhood shopping center areas located within or in close proximity to existing residential neighborhoods. While a wide variety of uses is encouraged to serve the daily needs of nearby residential areas, those uses which may have some adverse effects on adjoining residential property will be conditionally permitted. (§5, Ord. 1908, eff. 10/16/97)

10-2.2.1302 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 parenthesis is opposite a use classification heading, the referenced regulations shall apply to all use classifications under the heading. Land uses not listed are not permitted.

LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
A. Residential Use Classifcations (I)
1. Adult Day Care Home P
2. Congregate Living Facility U
3. Family Day Care Home
a. Small Family Day Care Home P (A)
b. Large Family Day Care Home P (A)
4. Group Residential U
5. Multiple Family Residential L(28)
6. Residential Care Home P
7. Accessory Dwelling Unit
a. Accessory Dwelling Unit P (L)
b. Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit P (L)
8. Single Family Residential
9. Supportive Housing L(30), L(31)
10. Transitional Housing L(30)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
B. Commercial Use Classifcations (B)
1. Ambulance Services U
2. Animal Sales and Service
a. Animal Hospital L(2)
b. Animal: Retail Sales and Grooming P
c. Horse Stables
d. Kennel
3. Artist Studio L(3)
4. Banks and Savings and Loans
a. Banks and Savings and Loans L(4)
(1) With Drive-up Service U
(2) With Automated Teller Machine L(5)
5. Catering Services L(6) (C)
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(7)
8. Custom Manufacturing L(3)
9. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments (J)
a. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments P
(1) With Wine and Beer Service Ending at or Before
11:00 p.m.		 L(8)
(2) With Wine and Beer Service Ending After 11:00
p.m.		 L(9)
(3) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending at
or Before 11:00 p.m.		 L(8)
(4) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending
After 11:00 p.m.		 L(9)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
(5) With Live Entertainment P (D) (J)
(6) With Dancing P (D) (J)
(7) With Take-out Service L(11)
(a) Drive-up L(12)
(8) With Permanent Outdoor Seating L(13)
(9) With Of-site Distribution U (C)
(a) Micro-brewery U (C)
10. Food and Beverage Sales
a. Food and Beverage Sales P
b. Convenience Market P
(1) With Gasoline Sales U (E)(F)
c. Specialty Food Shops P
(1) With Of-site Distribution U (C)
11. Funeral and Interment Services L(14)
12. Health Clubs P
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
13. Home Improvement Sales and Service L(15)
14. Horticultural Establishment
15. Lumber and Building Material Yard
16. Maintenance and Repair Service/Small
Equipment		 L(3)
17. Mini Storage
18. Nursery L(15)
19. Ofces, Business and Professional
a. Ofces, Business and Professional L(7)
(1) Ofces, Medical L(16)
20. Parking, Commercial Facility L(17)
21. Pawn Shop L(18)
22. Personal Improvement Services L(19)
23. Personal Services P
24. Recreation and Entertainment, Commercial
a. Within a Building U
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
b. Outside a Building
25. Research and Development Services
26. Retail Sales/Rental L(15)
27. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Service
a. Automobile Rental/Leasing
b. Automobile Sales/New and Used
c. Automobile Washing U
d. Automobile Wrecking
e. Service Stations U (E)(F)
(1) Automobile Washing U (F)
f. Vehicle/Equipment Repair
(1) Limited Vehicle Service
g. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Rentals
h. Vehicle Storage
28. Visitor Accommodations
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
a. Bed and Breakfast Inns U
b. Hotels U
c. Motels U
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 U
b. Natural History/Science Museum
6. Emergency Medical Care/No Inpatient U
7. Government Ofces P
8. Hazardous Waste Management Facility
9. Heliports
10. Hospitals
a. Acute Care
b. Other
11. Housing for the Homeless/Emergency Shelters L(20) (M)
12. Low Barrier Navigation Center L(32) (M)
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(21) (H)
(2) Small Collection Facility L(21) (H)
(3) Large Collection Facility
b. Processing Facility
19. Religious Assembly U
20. Residential Care Facility
21. Schools, Public or Private
22. Skilled Nursing Facilities
23. Utilities, Major L(22)
24. Utilities, Minor P
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
F. Accessory Uses
1. Accessory Living Quarters
2. Accessory Structure L(23)
3. Accessory Uses L(24)
a. Garage Sales
b. Home Occupations L(25)
c. Personal Cannabis Cultivation L(29) (K)
G. Temporary Uses (B)
1. Arts and Crafts Shows, Outdoor L(26)
2. Christmas Tree Sales L(26)
3. Civic/Community Events L(26)
4. Farmers Markets L(26)
5. Live Entertainment Events L(26)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
6. Outdoor Seating/Eating and Drinking
Establishment		 L(13)
7. Pumpkin Sales L(26)
LAND USE LAND USE USE REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
8. Retail Sales, Outdoor L(26)
9. Swap Meets, Non-Recurring L(26)
10. Swap Meets, Recurring L(26)
11. Street Fairs L(26)
12. Vendor Carts L(27)
USE REGULATIONS
L(1) Repealed by Ord. 2248.
L(2) Animal Hospitals/Vet Services are permitted subject to the issuance of a Conditional Use
Permit and shall not include the boarding of animals except for convalescence or medical
examination.
L(3) Permitted provided that the primary use of the facility is retail sales. Where retail sales are
not the primary use of the facility, the uses are not permitted.
L(4) Facilities that have a gross foor area of 1,000 square feet or less are permitted. Facilities
that exceed 1,000 square feet in gross foor area are permitted on approval of a Conditional
Use Permit.
L(5) If the ATM is to be located on the exterior wall of an existing bank or an of-site building, it
shall be reviewed and approved by the Community Development Director. In approving the
exterior ATM, the Community Development Director shall fnd that the ATM has adequate
security and lighting and that queuing for the ATM does not impede pedestrian or vehicle
trafc fow.
A Conditional Use Permit shall be required if located in the Community Commercial district
north of Geary Road. In addition to the fndings listed above, the following fndings must be
made:
USE REGULATIONS
--- ---
a. The site fronts North Main Street with access from North Main Street,
b. There is adequate space for short-term parking, and
c. The ATM activity will not negatively impact the abutting residential area.
L(6) Permitted as an accessory use associated with Food and Beverage Sales or an Eating and
Drinking Establishment, otherwise not permitted.
L(7) Permitted on foors above the ground level or on the ground level on approval of a
Conditional Use Permit. In approving the use permit, the Planning Commission shall fnd
that the proposed location is not suitable for retail use by virtue of its location, confguration,
or relationship to streets, driveways or access ways.
L(8) Permitted upon approval of an Administrative Use Permit pursuant to Article 12 of Part III of
the Zoning Ordinance.
L(9) 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.
L(10) Not permitted if located within 600 feet of a school. A Conditional Use Permit shall be
required if is to be located within 600 feet of the boundary of any hospital or residential
zoning district, otherwise it is a permitted use. The criteria found in Section
10-2.4.605 shall
not apply to such conditional use permit, nor shall any such use permit be modifed or
revoked except for reasons related to this paragraph. The Planning Commission shall grant
the conditional use permit unless it fnds that (1) noise from the interior of the facility will be
audible from the hospital or residentially zoned property, or (2) noise from the parking lot,
other than normal conversation levels, will be audible to the hospital or residentially zoned
property.
L(11) If the use is to be located in a freestanding building, the use is permitted upon approval of a
Conditional Use Permit. If the use is not located in a freestanding building, the use is
permitted. In the Community Commercial district north of Geary Road, the use is permitted.
L(12) A Conditional Use Permit is required. In the Community Commercial district north of Geary
Road/Treat Boulevard, the use is prohibited. As an incentive to encourage development of
the former co-op site and adjacent gas station site, (1510 Geary Road) a drive-thru
USE REGULATIONS
--- ---
restaurant may be conditionally permitted if it is associated with a larger development. If a
Conditional Use Permit is not approved by September 11, 1998, the drive-thru use is
prohibited.
L(13) 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(14) Mortuaries are permitted upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit. All other uses within
this category are not permitted.
L(15) Permitted provided that all activity is conducted entirely within an enclosed building. Uses
that include outdoor sales are permitted upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit subject
to a fnding that the outdoor sales does not negatively impact any abutting residential uses.
L(16) Services of an optometrist in conjunction with retail sales of prescription and non-
prescription eyeglasses is a permitted use. Other medical ofces are permitted subject to
L(7).
L(17) A Temporary Commercial Parking Lot is permitted subject to the approval of a Minor Use
Permit. A Permanent Commercial Parking Lot is permitted subject to the issuance of a
Conditional Use Permit.
L(18) In the Community Commercial district north of Geary Road, the use is prohibited; otherwise
permitted.
L(19) Business and Trade Schools are permitted subject to the issuance of a Conditional Use
Permit. Fine arts, crafts, dance or music studios, exercise or aerobic studios, driving
schools, and diet centers are permitted.
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
L(20) A Conditional Use Permit shall be required if housing for the homeless is to be located on
any parcel within 600 feet of the boundary of any residential zoning district, otherwise it is a
permitted use.
L(21) Permitted subject to the approval of the Community Development Director.

USE REGULATIONS

USE REGULATIONS USE REGULATIONS
L(22) 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(23) Accessory structures are permitted subject to Sec.
10-2.2.1304.Property Development
Regulations.
L(24) See the use regulation for the primary use classifcation.
L(25) Home Occupations are permitted subject to the approval of a Home Occupation Permit (see
Sec.
10-2.3.107.Home Occupations).
L(26) Permitted subject to the approval of a Temporary Activity Permit (see Sec.
10-2.3.118.
Temporary Activity Permits).
L(27) Permitted if they are operating under the same business license as an immediate adjacent
eating and drinking establishment or immediate adjacent retail establishment and are not
within the public right-of-way.
L(28) Conditionally permitted in areas designated as Mixed Use Commercial Emphasis (MU-C) or
Mixed Use Residential Emphasis (MU-R) by the Walnut Creek General Plan, in all other
General Plan land use classifcations if at least 90 percent of the dwelling units are restricted
units for low or very low income households, and in areas where multiple family residential
uses are allowed pursuant to a specifc plan; otherwise not permitted.
L(29) Personal cannabis cultivation is permitted subject to the regulations outlined by Article 14 of
Part III of the Zoning Ordinance.
L(30) 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(31) 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.
USE REGULATIONS
--- ---
L(32) 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.
(B) See Sec.
10-2.3.121.Regulations for Outdoor Sales, Service, Display.
(C) See Sec.
10-2.3.123.Of-site Distribution, Eating and Drinking Establishments and Specialty
Food Shops.
(D) See Municipal Code, Title
4.Chapter 11. Public Dance Permits.
(E) See Sec.
10-2.3.122.Service Stations; Convenience Markets with Gasoline Sales.
(F) See Part III, Article 8. Concurrent Sales.
(G) See Part III, Article 2. Of-street Parking and Loading Regulations.
(H) See Part III, Article 7. Recycling Facilities.
(I) See Part III, Article 9. Inclusionary Housing.
(J) See Part III, Article 12. Alcoholic Beverage Sales.
(K) See Part III, Article 14. Personal and Commercial Cannabis Activities.
(L) See Part III, Article 5, Accessory Dwelling Units.
(M) See Part III, Article 16, Objective Standards for Emergency Shelters and Navigation Centers.

(§5, Ord. 1908, eff. 10/16/97; §11, Ord. 1927, eff. 7/16/98; §§32, 33, 34, Ord. 2109, eff. 6/15/12; §17, Ord. 2129, eff. 7/3/14; §8, Ord. 2145, eff. 3/4/16; §§7(1), (36)—(38), Ord. 2183, eff. 9/8/18; §3, Ord. 2188, eff. 3/8/19; §5(1), Ord. 2216, eff. 7/2/22; §3, Ord. 2241, eff. 7/19/24; §3(14), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24; §3(2), Ord. 2248, eff. 2/21/25)

10-2.2.1303 Property Development Regulations.

The following schedule prescribes development regulations for the Community Commercial 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 10' D(3)
2. Side 10'
3. Corner Side 10' D(3)
4. Rear 20'
F. Maximum Height D(4)
G. Density
CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS		 ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
1. Residential D(5)
2. Commercial .3 FAR
3. Mixed Use .3 FAR D(5)
H. Maximum Lot Coverage NA
I. Maximum Net Floor Area Ratio .3 FAR
J. Design Review See Sec.
10-2.4.1202.
K. Landscaping See Part III, Article 11. D(6)
L. Storage Space for Residential Units 200 cubic feet D(7)
M. Fences and Walls See Sec.
10-2.3.104.
N. Antennas See Sec.
10-2.3.120.
O. Non-Conforming 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.
CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
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
W. Private Residential Outdoor Space See Sec.
10-2.3.126.
X. Courts See Sec.
10-2.3.127.
Y. Lighting See Sec.
10-2.3.128.
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) If the front lot line is substantially a continuation of a front lot line of an abutting lot that is in
a residential zone district (even if it is separated by a street), the front setback shall be not
less than the required front setback in the abutting residential zone district.
D(4) The maximum building height shall be 20 feet unless otherwise specifed by the Zoning
Map.
D(5) For residential development refer to the General Plan—Chapter 4, Figure 9 (Mixed Use Floor
Area Ratios).
D(6) The minimum required front and corner side setbacks shall be 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

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
multiple parcels are developed, the minimum landscaping applies across the project as a
whole. See also Private Residential Outdoor Space in Section
10-2.3.126.
D(7) The private storage space for a residential unit shall be weather-proofed and lockable
private storage space in addition to guest, linen, pantry and clothes closets customarily
provided. Such space may be provided in any location approved by the Community
Development Department, but shall not be divided into two or more locations.

(§5, Ord. 1908, eff. 10/16/97; §15, Ord. 2070, eff. 6/20/2008; §2, Ord. 2037, eff. 12/17/04; §17, Ord. 2108, eff. 4/7/12; §8, Ord. 2145, eff. 3/4/16; §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

10-2.2.1401

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