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Part II — BASE DISTRICT REGULATIONS

Article 14 — Open Space/Recreation District (O-S-R)

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

10-2.2.1401 Purpose and Intent.

The purpose of the Open Space/Recreation District is to identify the existing publicly owned open space, parks and golf courses. The intent is to provide land for public parks, recreation areas, wildlife preserves, watershed areas and scenic vistas.

10-2.2.1402 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 (C)
1. Adult Day Care Home
2. Congregate Living Facility
3. Family Day Care Home
a. Small Family Day Care Center P (F)
b. Large Family Day Care Home P (F)
4. Group Residential
5. Multiple Family Residential
6. Residential Care Home
7. Accessory Dwelling Units
a. Accessory Dwelling Unit P (E)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
b. Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit P (E)
8. Single Family Residential L(1)
B. Commercial Use Classifcations (A)
1. Ambulance Services
2. Animal Sales and Service
a. Animal Hospital
b. Animal: Retail Sales and Grooming
c. Horse Stables U
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
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
6. Commercial Cannabis Business
a. Commercial Cannabis Cultivation
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
8. Custom Manufacturing
9. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments (D)
a. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments L(2)
(1) With Wine and Beer Service Ending at or Before
11:00 p.m.		 L(2)
(2) With Wine and Beer Service Ending After 11:00
p.m.		 L(3)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
(3) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending at
or Before 11:00 p.m.		 L(2)
(4) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending
After 11:00 p.m.		 L(3)
(5) With Live Entertainment P (D)
(6) With Dancing P (D)
(7) With Take-out Service
(a) Drive-up
(8) With Permanent Outdoor Seating L(3)
(9) With Of-site Distribution
(a) Micro-brewery
10. Food and Beverage Sales
a. Food and Beverage Sales
b. Convenience Market
(1) With Gasoline Sales
c. Specialty Food Shops
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
(1) With Of-site Distribution
11. Funeral and Interment Services
12. Health Clubs
13. Home Improvement Sales and Service
14. Horticultural Establishment
15. Lumber and Building Material Yard
16. Maintenance and Repair Service/Small Equip
17. Mini Storage
18. Nursery
19. Ofces, Business and Professional
a. Ofces, Business and Professional
(1) Ofces, Medical
20. Parking, Commercial Facility
21. Pawn Shop
22. Personal Improvement Services
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
23. Personal Services
24. Recreation and Entertainment, Commercial
a. Within a Building
b. Outside a Building L(3)
25. Research and Development Services
26. Retail Sales/Rental L(3)
27. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Service
a. Automobile Sales/New and Used
b. Automobile Washing
c. Automobile Wrecking
d. Service Stations
(1) Automobile Washing
e. Vehicle/Equipment Repair
(1) Limited Vehicle Service
f. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Rentals
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
g. Vehicle Storage
28. Visitor Accommodations
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
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
2. Child Day Care Facility (Day Care Center)
3. Clubs and Lodges
4. College, Public or Private
5. Cultural Institutions
a. Cultural Institutions P
b. Natural History/Science Museum P
6. Emergency Medical Care/No Inpatient
7. Government Ofces
8. Hazardous Waste Management Facility
9. Heliports
10. Housing for the Homeless/Emergency Shelters
11. Hospitals
a. Acute Care
b. Other
12. Maintenance and Service Facilities
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
13. Park and Recreation Facilities P
14. Public Parking Facilities
15. Public Safety Facilities
16. Public Transit Terminals
17. Recycling Facilities
a. Collection Facility
(1) Reverse Vending Machine L(4) (B)
(2) Small Collection Facility L(4) (B)
(3) Large Collection Facility
b. Processing Facility
18. Religious Assembly
19. Residential Care Facility
20. Schools, Public or Private
21. Skilled Nursing Facilities
22. Utilities, Major L(5)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
23. Utilities, Minor P
F. Accessory Uses
1. Accessory Living Quarters
2. Accessory Structure
3. Accessory Uses
a. Accessory Uses L(6)
(1) Garage Sales
(2) Home Occupations
(3) Personal Cannabis Cultivation
G. Temporary Uses (A)
1. Arts and Crafts Shows, Outdoor L(7)
2. Christmas Tree Sales L(7)
3. Civic/Community Events L(7)
4. Farmers Markets L(7)
5. Live Entertainment Events L(7)
LAND USE LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
6. Outdoor Seating/Eating and Drinking Estab
7. Pumpkin Sales L(7)
8. Retail Sales, Outdoor
9. Swap Meets, Non-Recurring
10. Swap Meets, Recurring
11. Street Fairs
12. Vendor Carts L(7)
USE REGULATIONS
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
L(1) Single Family Residential uses shall be permitted for caretakers, docents, park rangers and
watchmen.
L(2) Permitted as an accessory use in Cultural Institutions and Park and Recreation Facilities
upon approval of an Administrative Use Permit pursuant to Article 12 of Part III of the Zoning
Ordinance.
L(3) Permitted as an accessory use in Cultural Institutions and Park and Recreation Facilities
upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit pursuant to Article 12 of Part III of the Zoning
Ordinance.
L(4) Permitted upon approval by the Community Development Director.
USE REGULATIONS
L(5) 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(6) See the use regulations for the primary use classifcation.
L(7) Permitted subject to the approval of a Temporary Activity Permit.
ADDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS
(A) See Sec.
10-2.3.121.Regulations for Outdoor Sales, Service, Display.
(B) See Part III, Article 7. Recycling Facilities.
(C) See Part III, Article 9. Inclusionary Housing.
(D) See Part III, Article 12. Alcoholic Beverage Sales.
(E) See Part III, Article 5. Accessory Dwelling Units.
(F) See Part III, Article 6. Child Day Care Facilities.

(§§35, 36, 37, Ord. 2109, eff. 6/15/12; §18, Ord. 2129, eff. 7/3/14; §§7(1), (48), Ord. 2183, eff. 9/8/18; §3, Ord. 2188, eff. 3/8/19; §13, Ord. 2210, eff. 10/22/21; §5(1), Ord. 2216, eff. 7/2/22; §3(2), Ord. 2248, eff. 2/21/25)

10-2.2.1403 Property Development Regulations.

The following schedule prescribes development regulations for the Open Space/Recreation District. The symbol "NA" indicates that there is no restriction for that particular development regulation or it is not applicable in this District. Letters in parentheses refer to the "Additional Development Regulations" following the schedule.

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)
F. Maximum Height D(2)
G. Density D(3)
H. Maximum Lot Coverage NA
I. Maximum Floor Area Ratio D(3)
J. Design Review See Sec.
10-2.4.1202.
K. Fences and Walls See Sec.
10-2.3.104.
L. Antennas See Sec.
10-2.3.120.
M. Non-Conforming Conditions See Part III, Article 3.
N. Recycling Facilities See Part III, Article 7.
O. Parking and Loading See Part III, Article 2.
CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS		 ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
P. Signs See Title
10,Chapter 8.
Q. Preservation of Trees See Title
3.Chapter 8.
R. Hillside Performance Standards See Part III, Article 4.
S. Stormwater Control See Title
9,Chapter 16
T. Landscaping See Part III, Article 11.
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
D(1) Minimum setback requirements shall be determined on a case by case basis in the approval
of a site plan.
D(2) The maximum height limitation shall be 25 feet unless otherwise shown on the Zoning Map.
D(3) The maximum density shall be determined on a case by case basis but in no case shall
exceed .1 du/acre or a .1 FAR.

(§2, Ord. 2037, eff. 12/17/04; §16, Ord. 2070, eff. 6/20/2008; §18, Ord. 2108, eff. 4/7/12)

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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

10-2.2.1501

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▸ Contents — Walnut Creek Zoning Code
Walnut Creek Zoning Code
  1. 10-1.101 Citation and Authority.
  2. 10-1.102 Purpose.
  3. 10-1.103 Conformity to General Plan, Specific Plans and Zoning…
  4. 10-1.104 Application.
  5. 10-1.105 Modification of Requirements.
  6. 10-1.201 Definitions.
  7. 10-1.202 Responsibilities.
  8. 10-1.301 General.
  9. 10-1.302 Division of Land—Five or More Parcels.
  10. 10-1.303 Division of Land—Four or Fewer Parcels. (Minor Subdiv…
  11. 10-1.304 Plat Maps.
  12. 10-1.305 Fees and Deposits.
  13. 10-1.402 Tentative Maps.
  14. 10-1.403 Final Maps.
  15. 10-1.501 Tentative Parcel Map.
  16. 10-1.502 Parcel Maps.
  17. 10-1.503 Waiver of Parcel Map Requirements.
  18. 10-1.601 Dedication of Streets, Alleys and Other Public Rights…
  19. 10-1.602 Park Land Dedication.
  20. 10-1.603 School Site Dedication.
  21. 10-1.604 Reservations.
  22. 10-1.605 Claims of Excessive Dedications.
  23. 10-1.701 Purpose.
  24. 10-1.702 Requirements and Procedures.
  25. 10-1.703 Physical Standards for Condominium Conversions.
  26. 10-1.704 Tenant Provisions.
  27. 10-1.705 Effect of Proposed Conversion on the City's Low- and …
  28. 10-1.706 Findings.
  29. 10-1.801 General.
  30. 10-1.802 Improvements Required.
  31. 10-1.803 Deferred Improvement Agreements.
  32. 10-1.804 Design.
  33. 10-1.805 Access.
  34. 10-1.806 Improvement Plans.
  35. 10-1.807 Improvement Agreement.
  36. 10-1.808 Improvement Security.
  37. 10-1.809 Construction.
  38. 10-1.810 Construction Inspection.
  39. 10-1.811 Completion of Improvements.
  40. 10-1.812 Acceptance of Improvements.
  41. 10-1.813 Supplemental Improvement Capacity.
  42. 10-1.901 General.
  43. 10-1.902 Initiation of Proceedings.
  44. 10-1.903 Contents of Petition.
  45. 10-1.904 Submittal of Petition to City Engineer.
  46. 10-1.905 City Council Approval.
  47. 10-1.906 Filing with County Recorder.
  48. 10-1.1001 Mergers not Required.
  49. 10-1.1002 Mergers Required.
  50. 10-1.1003 Notice of Intention to Determine Status.
  51. 10-1.1004 Hearing on Determination of Status.
  52. 10-1.1005 Determination of Merger.
  53. 10-1.1006 Determination When No Hearing is Requested.
  54. 10-1.1007 Request to Merge by Property Owner.
  55. 10-1.1008 Unmerged Parcels.
  56. 10-1.1009 Request for Determination by Owner.
  57. 10-1.1010 Fee for Mergers and Unmergers.
  58. 10-1.1101 Requirements.
  59. 10-1.1102 Form and Contents.
  60. 10-1.1103 Submittal and Approval by the City Engineer.
  61. 10-1.1104 Filing with the County Recorder.
  62. 10-1.1105 Fee.
  63. 10-1.1201 Citation and Authority.
  64. 10-1.1202 Purpose and Intent.
  65. 10-1.1203 Consistency.
  66. 10-1.1204 Definitions.
  67. 10-1.1205 Application.
  68. 10-1.1206 Filing and Processing.
  69. 10-1.1207 Expiration.
  70. 10-1.1208 Vesting on Approval of Vesting Tentative Map.
  71. 10-1.1209 Development Inconsistent with Zoning—Conditional App…
  72. 10-1.1210 Applications Inconsistent with Current Policies.
  73. 10-1.1211 Failure to Obtain Design Review Approval.
  74. 10-1.1301 Prohibition.
  75. 10-1.1302 Remedies.
  76. 10-1.1303 Certificate of Compliance.
  77. 10-1.1304 Notice of Violation.
  78. 10-1.1305 Penalties.
  79. 10-1.1306 Judicial Action.
  80. 10-1.1401 Purpose.
  81. 10-1.1402 Applicability—Ministerial Approval.
  82. 10-1.1403 Exceptions.
  83. 10-1.1404 Definitions.
  84. 10-1.1405 Urban Lot Split Requirements.
  85. Chapter 2
  86. Part I — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  87. ▸ Part II — BASE DISTRICT REGULATIONS
    Overview
    1. Article 1 — Single-Family Residential District (R)
    2. Article 2 — Duplex Residential District (D-3)
    3. Article 3 — Multiple Family Residential Districts (M)
    4. Article 4 — High Density Residential Planned Development Distr…
    5. Article 5 — Hillside Planned Development District (H-P-D)
    6. Article 6 — Pedestrian Retail District (P-R)
    7. Article 7 — Central Retail District (C-R)
    8. Article 8 — Office Commercial District (O-C)
    9. Article 9 — Mixed Use Planned Development District (M-U)
    10. Article 10 — Automobile Sales/Service and Custom Manufacturing…
    11. Article 11 — Service Commercial District (S-C)
    12. Article 12 — Business Park District (B-P)
    13. Article 13 — Community Commercial District (C-C)
    14. Article 14 — Open Space/Recreation District (O-S-R)
    15. Article 15 — Community Facility District (C-F)
    16. Article 16 — Hospital Planned Development District (HO P-D)
    17. Article 17 — Planned Development District (P-D)
    18. Article 18 — Overlay District (O)
    19. Article 19 — Summary of Use Regulations
    20. Article 20 — Single-Family High-Planned Development District 1…
    21. Article 21 — Commercial Mixed Use District (MU-C)
    22. Article 22 — Residential Mixed Use District (MU-R)
    23. Article 23 — Downtown Mixed Use District (MU-D)
  88. Part III — REGULATIONS APPLYING IN ALL OR SEVERAL DISTRICTS Re…
  89. Part IV — ADMINISTRATION

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