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Part II — BASE DISTRICT REGULATIONS

Article 17 — Planned Development District (P-D)

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

10-2.2.1701 Purpose and Intent.

The purpose of the Planned Development District is to allow diversification in the relationship of various buildings, land uses, structures, and open spaces in order to be relieved from the rigid standards of conventional zoning. A Planned Development District shall comply with the regulations and provision of the General Plan and any applicable specific plan and shall provide adequate standards to promote the public, health, safety and general welfare without unduly inhibiting the advantages of modern building techniques and planning for residential or commercial purposes.

10-2.2.1702 Applicability.

The Planned Development District (P-D) may be applied to parcels of land of any size. Any such proposed development shall be in conformity with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan and the requirements of this chapter as they relate to land use designated in the General Plan.

10-2.2.1703 Initiation of Zone Change.

An application for a zoning amendment under this article may be initiated in accordance with (Part IV, Article 13. Amendments (Rezoning)) by the City Council, Planning Commission, or one or more of the property owners or the owner's authorized agent or lessee of the property involved.

10-2.2.1704 Planned Development Permit.

Approval of development within the Mixed Use Planned Development and High Density Residential Planned Development zoning districts shall be by planned development permit in accordance with (Part IV, Article 10. Planned Development Permits). A planned development permit is not required for development within a Planned Development (P-D) zoning district.

10-2.2.1705 Data Required.

In requesting approval of a zoning amendment to Planned Development, the applicant shall provide the Planning Commission and the Council with:

A. A complete proposed street and lot lay-out;

B. Elevations of all buildings proposed;

C. A contour map with five (5) foot intervals where the slope is five (5) percent or more and one foot intervals where the slope is less than five (5) percent;

D. Proposed use designations;

E. A comparison of anticipated differences between existing zoning ordinance standards and the proposed plan, where applicable; and

F. Such other data as required.

10-2.2.1706 Approval of Plans.

In considering approval of a zoning amendment to Planned Development, the Planning Commission and Council shall view the proposed development and its neighborhood as an entirety and its conformity to the General Plan and applicable Specific Plans. The Council may require that areas be set aside for school and recreational facilities to serve the development and its immediate neighborhood as provided in the General Plan. Approval of the proposed Planned Development zoning may be given if the spirit of this article and the General Plan are complied with and if the health, safety, welfare and general prosperity of the residents of the City will be served by such adjustment in land use districts in the terms of this article as may be required.

10-2.2.1707 Zoning.

Upon approval of such development, the area therein concerned shall be zoned Planned Development District, and the uses and the development standards thereof shall be as stated in such approval. Notwithstanding the foregoing, accessory dwelling units shall be permitted uses on any lot in any Planned Development District wherein single-family residential or multiple-family residential is either a permitted or conditionally permitted use, subject to the provisions of Part III, Article 5, Accessory Dwelling Units. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, a junior accessory dwelling unit shall be a permitted use on any lot in any Planned Development District wherein single-family residential is either a permitted or conditionally permitted use, subject to the provisions of Part III, Article 5, Accessory Dwelling Units. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, SB9 dwelling units and urban lot splits shall be permitted pursuant to Part III, Article 15, Qualified Senate Bill 9 Properties, on any lot in any Planned Development District where Single-Family Residential District (R) uses are the only allowed uses. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Part III, Article 17, Ministerial Reviews Pursuant to State Law, shall apply to projects and uses listed therein. (§8, Ord. 2188, eff. 3/8/19; §15, Ord. 2210, eff. 10/22/21; §9, Ord. 2234, eff. 11/17/23; §3(17), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24)

10-2.2.1708 Grading.

The grading of land and maximum height of graded slopes shall be governed by provisions of Chapter 8, Title 9 of the Walnut Creek Municipal Code.

10-2.2.1709 Design Review Required.

Upon receipt of a request for P-D zoning or for the amendment of any existing P-D zoning, the following steps shall be followed:

A. A preliminary site plan of the development and architectural renderings together with any other data (see Part IV, Article 12. Design Review) required by the Community Development Director shall be submitted to the Planning Division.

B. The data obtained shall be submitted to the Design Review Commission for preliminary review of the site plan, landscaping, grading and building design. The Design Review Commission shall advise the Planning Commission in writing of any comments it desires to make and any changes to the site plan or building design which it deems appropriate as a result of its preliminary review.

C. Upon completion of the Design Review Commission's analysis, the planned development request shall be processed pursuant to the provisions of this article.

D. Upon completion of final zoning approval by the City Council, the approved development plan shall be referred to the Design Review Commission for processing pursuant to the provisions of (Part IV, Article 12. Design Review).

10-2.2.1710 Private Storage Space.

Each residential unit shall have at least two hundred (200) cubic feet of enclosed, weatherproofed 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.

10-2.2.1711 Building Height.

The maximum building height for commercial development in the Core Area is shown on the Building Height Zone Map. The maximum building height for all residential development, and commercial development outside the Core Area, shall be determined by the City Council, consistent with Measure A.

10-2.2.1712 Water Efficient Landscaping.

The provisions of Part III, Article 11 (Water Efficient Landscaping) shall apply to all Planned Development (P-D) Districts. In case of a conflict between the regulations contained within Part III, Article 11, and the regulations contained within a particular P-D District, the provisions which require the least amount of water for the purpose of landscape irrigation shall apply. (§21, Ord. 2108, eff. 4/7/12)

10-2.2.1713 Alcoholic Beverage Sales Ordinance.

The provisions of Part III, Article 12 (Alcoholic Beverage Sales Ordinance) shall apply to all Planned Development (P-D) Districts except P-D 1319, P-D 1437, and P-D 1483. In case of a conflict between the provisions contained within Part III, Article 12, and the provisions contained within a particular P-D District, the provision that is more restrictive or imposes higher standards shall control, except as otherwise expressly provided in Part III, Article 12. (§44, Ord. 2109, eff. 6/15/12)

10-2.2.1714 Private Residential Outdoor Space.

Each new residential development shall conform to the provisions outlined in Section 10-2.3.126, Private Residential Outdoor Space. (§4, Ord. 2239, eff. 7/5/24)

10-2.2.1715 Courts.

Each new residential development shall conform to the provisions outlined in Section 10-2.3.127, Courts. (§4, Ord. 2239, eff. 7/5/24)

10-2.2.1716 Lighting.

Each new residential development shall conform to the provisions outlined in Section 10-2.3.128, Lighting. (§4, Ord. 2239, eff. 7/5/24)

10-2.2.1717 Compliance With Standards.

When a project that qualifies for ministerial or objective design review pursuant to Part IV, Article 12, Design Review, is proposed within a Planned Development Zone created prior to the effective date of the enabling ordinance for this section pursuant to the provisions of this title, it shall only be subject to objective development

standards, policies, and regulations contained within the P-D zoning ordinance applicable to the project site and within the General Plan, and any additional objective development standards based on numeric measurements of any existing building envelope and form within the P-D zone applicable to the project site. (§4, Ord. 2239, eff. 7/5/24)

10-2.2.1718 Transfer of Duties.

Whenever any Planned Development Zone, created prior to the effective date of the enabling ordinance for this section, pursuant to the provisions of this title, contains a reference to the City Council as the Design Review Authority, such review shall be conducted by the Planning Commission pursuant to the provisions of Part IV, Article 12, Design Review. (§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

10-2.2.1801

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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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