Part II — BASE DISTRICT REGULATIONS

Article 21 — Commercial Mixed Use District (MU-C)

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

10-2.2.2101 Purpose and Intent.

The purpose of the Commercial Mixed Use District is to encourage the development of a combination of medium- to high-intensity commercial and residential uses within the Core Area. Development in the Commercial Mixed Use District is intended to be pedestrian-oriented, generally close to the street, and vertical in nature; typically with structured parking. Restaurant and retail uses are encouraged on the ground floor, while office and residential uses are appropriate on upper floors. The Commercial Mixed Use District is intended to be primarily commercial in nature, with the option for including a residential component as an integral part of commercially oriented mixed use developments. (§5, Ord. 2158, eff. 11/18/16)

10-2.2.2102 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 (A)(B)(C)(D)(E)
1. Adult Day Care Home P
2. Congregate Living Facility L(1)
3. Family Day Care Home
a. Small Family Day Care Home P (F)
b. Large Family Day Care Home P (F)
4. Group Residential L(1)
5. Multiple Family Residential L(1)
6. Residential Care Home L(1)
7. Accessory Dwelling Units
a. Accessory Dwelling Unit P (N)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
b. Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit
8. Single Family Residential
9. Supportive Housing L(24), L(25)
10. Transitional Housing L(24)
B. Commercial Use Classifcations (G)
1. Ambulance Services
2. Animal Sales and Services
a. Animal Hospital/Veterinary Services L(3)
b. Animal: Retail Sales and Grooming P
c. Horse Stables
d. Kennels L(3)
3. Artist Studios L(4)
4. Banks and Savings and Loans
a. Banks and Savings and Loans L(5)
(1) With Drive-up Services
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
(2) With Automated Teller Machines P
5. Catering Services L(6)
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 L(7)
8. Custom Manufacturing L(7)
9. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments
a. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments L(8)
(1) With Wine and Beer Service Ending at or Before
11:00 p.m.		 L(9)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
(2) With Wine and Beer Service Ending After 11:00
p.m.		 L(10)
(3) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending at
or Before 11:00 p.m.		 L(9)
(4) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending
After 11:00 p.m.		 L(10)
(5) With Live Entertainment L(11) (H)
(6) With Dancing L(11) (H)
(7) With Take-out Services L(8)
(a) Drive-up
(8) With Permanent Outdoor Seating L(12)
(9) With Of-site Distribution U (I)
(a) Micro-breweries U (I)
10. Food and Beverage Sales
a. Food and Beverage Sales L(13)
b. Convenience Markets L(13)
(1) With Gasoline Sales
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
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c. Specialty Food Shops L(13)
(1) With Of-site Distribution U (I)
11. Funeral and Interment Services
12. Health Clubs U
13. Home Improvement Sales and Services L(3)
14. Horticultural Establishments
15. Lumber and Building Material Yards
16. Maintenance and Repair Services/Small
Equipment		 L(4)
17. Mini Storage
18. Nurseries
19. Ofces, Business and Professional
a. Ofces, Business and Professional L(5)
(1) Ofces, Medical L(7)
20. Parking, Commercial Facilities U (J)
21. Pawn Shops P
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
22. Personal Improvement Services L(14)
23. Personal Services P
24. Recreation and Entertainment, Commercial
a. Within a Building U
b. Outdoor Facilities
25. Research and Development Services
26. Retail Sales/Rentals L(13)
27. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Services
a. Automobile Rental and Leasing L(3)
b. Automobile Sales/New and Used L(3)
c. Automobile Washing
d. Automobile Wrecking
e. Service Stations
(1) With Automobile Washing
f. Vehicle/Equipment Repair
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
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(1) Limited Vehicle Service
g. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Rentals L(3)
h. Vehicle Storage
28. Visitor Accommodations
a. Bed and Breakfast Inns L(1)
b. Hotels P
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
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
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E. Community Facility Use Classifcations
1. Adult Day Care Facilities L(1)
2. Child Day Care Facilities (Day Care Center) L(1) (F)
3. Clubs and Lodges L(1)
4. Colleges, Public or Private L(1)
5. Cultural Institutions
a. Cultural Institutions P
b. Natural History/Science Museums P
6. Emergency Medical Care/No Inpatient
7. Government Ofces L(7)
8. Hazardous Waste Management Facilities
9. Heliports
10. Hospitals
a. Acute Care
b. Other
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
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11. Housing for the Homeless/Emergency Shelters U (O)
12. Low Barrier Navigation Center L(26) (O)
13. Maintenance and Service Facilities
14. Park and Recreation Facilities P
15. Public Parking Facilities P
16. Public Safety Facilities P
17. Public Transit Terminals
18. Recycling Facilities
a. Collection Facilities
(1) Reverse Vending Machine Facilities L(15) (K)
(2) Small Collection Facilities L(15) (K)
(3) Large Collection Facilities
b. Processing Facilities
19. Religious Assembly L(4)
20. Residential Care Facilities L(16)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
21. Schools, Public or Private L(1)
22. Skilled Nursing Facilities L(1)
23. Utilities, Major L(17)
24. Utilities, Minor P
F. Accessory Uses
1. Accessory Living Quarters
2. Accessory Structure L(18)
3. Accessory Use L(19)
a. Garage Sales
b. Home Occupations L(20) (L)
c. Personal Cannabis Cultivation L(23) (M)
G. Temporary Uses (G)
1. Arts and Crafts Shows, Outdoor L(21)
2. Christmas Tree Sales L(21)
3. Civic/Community Events L(21)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
LAND USE LAND USE USE REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
4. Farmers Markets L(21)
5. Live Entertainment Events L(21)
6. Outdoor Seating for Eating and Drinking
Establishments		 L(12)
7. Pumpkin Sales L(21)
8. Retail Sales, Outdoor L(21)
9. Street Fairs L(21)
10. Swap Meets, Non-Recurring L(21)
11. Swap Meets, Recurring L(21)
12. Vendor-Carts L(22)
USE REGULATIONS
L(1) Permitted on foors above the ground foor of a multi-story building; conditionally permitted
on the ground foor of a multi-story building when located more than ffty (50) feet from the
street line of a Core Area Retail Street; otherwise not permitted.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, lobbies and entrance areas accessory to the use are
permitted within ffty (50) feet of a Core Area Retail Street when not occupying more than ten
percent (10%) of the gross foor area of the ground foor, nor more than ten percent (10%) of
the ground foor building frontage facing a street line; however, in no case shall such lobbies
and entrance areas be restricted to less than ffteen (15) feet in width.
Consistent with the General Plan, commercial uses shall occupy at least ffty percent (50%)
of the gross foor area of the ground foor, excluding parking.

USE REGULATIONS

USE REGULATIONS USE REGULATIONS
L(2) Repealed by Ord. 2248.
L(3) Conditionally permitted on foors above the ground foor of a completely enclosed multistory
building; conditionally permitted on the ground foor of a completely enclosed multistory
building when located more than ffty (50) feet from the street line of a Core Area retail street;
otherwise not permitted.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, lobbies and entrance areas accessory to the use are
permitted within ffty (50) feet of a Core Area retail street when not occupying more than ten
percent (10%) of the gross foor area of the ground foor, nor more than ten percent (10%) of
the ground foor building frontage facing a street line; however, in no case shall such lobbies
and entrance areas be restricted to less than ffteen (15) feet in width.
L(4) Permitted on foors above the ground foor of a multistory building; permitted on the ground
foor of a multistory building when located more than ffty (50) feet from the street line of a
Core Area retail street; otherwise conditionally permitted. In approving a Conditional Use
Permit, the Planning Commission shall fnd that:
a) The proposed use is compatible with active pedestrian activity on the adjacent public
right-of-way;
b) The proposed use is compatible with retail uses.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, lobbies and entrance areas accessory to the use are
permitted within ffty (50) feet of a Core Area retail street when not occupying more than ten
percent (10%) of the gross foor area of the ground foor, nor more than ten percent (10%) of
the ground foor building frontage facing a street line; however, in no case shall such lobbies
and entrance areas be restricted to less than ffteen (15) feet in width.
L(5) Businesses whose primary activities involve walk-in customer visits (including but not
limited to retail banks and savings and loans; maintenance and repair service centers for
small equipment; document preparation centers; real estate agencies; and public ofces for
title companies, mortgage brokers, stock brokers, and fnancial advisors) are permitted on
the ground foor of a multistory building when located west of North/South California
Boulevard; otherwise permitted subject to L(4) above.
L(6) Permitted subject to review and approval of the Design Review Authority pursuant to Part IV,
Article 12, Design Review, as an accessory use associated with food and beverage sales or
an eating and/or drinking establishment, and subject to the provisions of Section
10-
2.3.123,Ofsite Distribution for Eating and Drinking Establishments and Specialty Food
USE REGULATIONS
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Shops; otherwise not permitted. In granting design review approval, the Design Review
Commission Authority shall fnd that:
a. The ventilation equipment has been designed and located to mitigate the impact of
objectionable noise and odor on existing or future residential uses in the surrounding area;
b. The garbage collection facilities have been designed and located to mitigate the impact
of objectionable noise and odor on existing or future residential uses in the surrounding
area, including that resulting from garbage pickup.
L(7) Permitted on foors above the ground foor of a multistory building; permitted on the ground
foor of a multistory building when located more than ffty (50) feet from the street line of a
Core Area retail street; otherwise not permitted.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, lobbies and entrance areas accessory to the use are
permitted within ffty (50) feet of a Core Area retail street when not occupying more than ten
percent (10%) of the gross foor area of the ground foor, nor more than ten percent (10%) of
the ground foor building frontage facing a street line; however, in no case shall such lobbies
and entrance areas be restricted to less than ffteen (15) feet in width.
L(8) Permitted subject to review and approval of the Design Review Authority pursuant to Part IV,
Article 12, Design Review. In granting design review approval, the Design Review Authority
shall fnd that:
a. The ventilation equipment has been designed and located to mitigate the impact of
objectionable noise and odor on existing or future residential uses in the surrounding area;
b. The garbage collection facilities have been designed and located to mitigate the impact
of objectionable noise and odor on existing or future residential uses in the surrounding
area, including that resulting from garbage pickup.
L(9) Permitted upon approval of an Administrative Use Permit pursuant to Part III, Article 12,
Alcoholic Beverage Sales.
L(10) Not permitted if located within 600 feet of the boundary of any school (as defned in Part I,
Article 4, Use Classifcations) if providing full alcoholic beverage service. Otherwise,
permitted upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit pursuant to Part III, Article 12,
Alcoholic Beverage Sales.
L(11) Conditionally permitted. In approving a Conditional Use Permit, the Planning Commission
shall fnd that:
USE REGULATIONS
--- ---
a) Suitable design features and operating measures have been incorporated into the project
to mitigate the impact of objectionable noise on existing or future residential uses in the
surrounding area;
b) Design features have been incorporated into the project to adequately handle customer
queuing.
L(12) 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.
USE REGULATIONS USE REGULATIONS
L(13) Facilities which include the sale of alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine) or tobacco
products are conditionally permitted; otherwise permitted. In approving a Conditional Use
Permit, the Planning Commission shall fnd that:
a) The proposed use will not cause adverse noise, odor, and litter impacts.
b) The proposed use (including hours of operation) will be compatible with existing or future
residential uses in the surrounding area.
L(14) Business and trade schools, driving schools, and other similar uses are permitted subject to
L(4) above. Fine arts, crafts, dance or music studios, exercise or aerobic studios, diet
centers, and other similar uses are permitted subject to L(5) above.
L(15) Permitted in a Convenience Zone (as defned by Section
10-2.1.303,Defnitions) subject to
the approval of the Community Development Director.
L(16) Permitted on foors above the ground foor of a multistory building if the occupants of the
facility meet the defnition of handicapped under the Fair Housing Act, otherwise not
permitted. Parking, as required in Part III, Article 2, Of-Street Parking and Loading
Regulations, shall be provided. The development regulations (other than parking) for a
residential care facility shall be the same as is required for Residential Use Classifcations by
Section
10-2.2.2103.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, lobbies and entrance areas accessory to the use are
permitted within ffty (50) feet of a Core Area retail street when not occupying more than ten
(10) percent of the gross foor area of the ground foor, nor more than ten (10) percent of the
ground foor building frontage facing a street line; however, in no case shall such lobbies
and entrance areas be restricted to less than ffteen (15) feet in width.

USE REGULATIONS

USE REGULATIONS USE REGULATIONS
L(17) 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(18) Accessory structures are permitted subject to Section
10-2.2.2103,Property Development
Regulations.
L(19) See the use regulations for the primary use classifcation.
L(20) Home Occupations are permitted subject to the approval of a Home Occupation Permit
pursuant to Section
10-2.3.107,Home Occupations.
L(21) Permitted subject to the approval of a Temporary Activity Permit pursuant to Section
10-
2.3.118,Temporary Activity Permits.
L(22) 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(23) Personal cannabis cultivation is permitted subject to the regulations outlined by Article 14 of
Part III of the Zoning Ordinance.
L(24) 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(25) 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(26) Permitted by right when meeting the requirements of Section
65662 of the California
Government Code.
ADDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS
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(A) See Section
10-2.3.103,Accessory Structures.
(B) See Section
10-2.3.107,Home Occupations.
(C) See Section
10-2.3.108,Animals.
(D) See Part III, Article 9, Inclusionary Housing.
(E) See Part III, Article 10, Density Bonus Ordinance.
(F) See Part III, Article 6, Child Day Care Facilities.
(G) See Section
10-2.3.121,Regulations for Outdoor Sales, Service, Display.
(H) See Municipal Code, Title
4,Chapter 11, Public Dance Permits.
(I) See Section
10-2.3.123,Ofsite Distribution for Eating and Drinking Establishments and
Specialty Food Shops.
(J) See Part III, Article 2, Of-Street Parking and Loading Regulations.
(K) See Part III, Article 7, Recycling Facilities.
(L) See Section
10-2.3.107,Home Occupations.
(M) See Part III, Article 14. Personal and Commercial Cannabis Activities.
(N) See Part III, Article 5. Accessory Dwelling Units.
(O) See Part III, Article 16, Objective Standards for Emergency Shelters and Navigation Centers.

(§5, Ord. 2158, eff. 11/18/16; §5, Ord. 2161, eff. 1/19/17; §§7(1), (42)—(44), Ord. 2183, eff. 9/8/18; §3, Ord. 2188, eff. 3/8/19; §17, Ord. 2210, eff. 10/22/21; §5(1), Ord. 2216, eff. 7/2/22; §4, Ord. 2239, eff. 7/5/24; §3(19), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24; §3(2), Ord. 2248, eff. 2/21/25)

10-2.2.2103 Property Development Regulations.

The following schedule prescribes development regulations for the Commercial Mixed Use 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 10,000 sq. ft.
B. Minimum Lot Width 80 feet
C. Minimum Lot Frontage 80 feet
D. Minimum Lot Depth 100 feet D(1)
E. Minimum Setbacks D(2) D(3)
1. Front D(4)
2. Side D(5)
3. Corner Side D(4)
4. Rear D(5)
F. Maximum Height D(6)
G. Density D(15)
CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS		 ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
H. Maximum Lot Coverage NA
I. Maximum Floor Area Ratio D(7)
J. Minimum Floor Area Ratio D(16)
K. Minimum Ground Floor Height D(8)
L. Minimum Ground Floor Depth D(9)
M. Courts See Sec.
10-2.3.127.
N. Design Review See Section
10‑2.4.1202.		 D(10)
O. Landscaping See Part III, Article 11. D(11)
P. Storage Space for Residential Units D(12)
Q. Fences and Walls See Section 10-2.3.104.
R. Antennas See Section 10-2.3.120.
S. Nonconforming Conditions See Part III, Article 3.
T. Elevators See Section 10-2.3.124.
U. Recycling Facilities See Part III, Article 7.
V. Parking and Loading See Part III, Article 2. D(13) D(14)
CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS		 ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
W. Signs See Title
10,Chapter 8.
X. Preservation of Trees See Title
3,Chapter 8.
Y. Hillside Performance Standards See Part III, Article 4.
Z. Stormwater Control See Title
9,Chapter 16.
AA. Private Residential Outdoor Space See Section
10-2.3.126.
BB. Lighting See Section
10-2.3.128.

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
D(1) Any existing lot having a depth of less than one hundred (100) feet may be developed
pursuant to all provisions of this chapter.
D(2) See Section
10-2.3.106,Exclusion of Rights-of-Way.
D(3) Refer to the Zoning Map for future street line setbacks.
D(4) Minimum front and corner side setbacks shall be provided as follows:
a) For the portions of a building located within forty (40) vertical feet of the base elevation,
the greater of the following:
1) On Core Area retail streets, a setback sufcient to provide a minimum ffteen (15)-foot-
wide public sidewalk area (as measured from the vertical face of curb of the adjacent street)
with a minimum ten (10)-foot-wide unobstructed pedestrian path of travel;
2) On other than Core Area retail streets, a setback sufcient to provide a minimum ten (10)-
foot-wide public sidewalk area (as measured from the vertical face of curb of the adjacent
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
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street) with a minimum seven (7)-foot-wide unobstructed pedestrian path of travel;
3) As specifed by the General Plan or an applicable specifc plan.
b) For the upper portions of a building located more than forty (40) vertical feet from the
base elevation, fve (5) feet more than what is required in subsection (a) above.
D(5) None required except as follows:
a) For any side or rear yard that abuts a residential district, except where a larger setback is
required pursuant to subsection (b) below:
1) For the portions of a building located within thirty (30) vertical feet of the existing or
fnished grade (whichever is lower) at the adjacent lot line: ten (10) feet.
2) For the portions of a building located more than thirty (30) vertical feet in height from the
existing or fnished grade (whichever is lower) at the adjacent lot line: ffteen (15) feet.
b) For portions of buildings containing uses described in Section
10-2.1.403(A), Residential
Use Classifcations: See Section
10-2.3.127,Courts.
D(6) Within the plan area boundaries of the West Downtown Specifc Plan: Refer to the Zoning
Map. Notwithstanding the foregoing, approval by the Planning Commission or City Council
of a community beneft agreement pursuant to Part IV, Article 17, Community Beneft
Agreements, is required for any building with a top elevation greater than sixty-fve (65) feet.
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 West Downtown and North Downtown Specifc
Plans: Refer to the Zoning Map.
D(7) Within the plan area boundaries of the West Downtown Specifc Plan: Maximum FAR is 1.5.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Planning Commission or City Council, as identifed by
the Community Benefts Program, may permit a FAR up to 3.0 upon approval of a
community beneft agreement pursuant to Part IV, Article 17, Community Beneft
Agreements.
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

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
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 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 West Downtown and North Downtown Specifc
Plans: The maximum foor area ratio shall be 1.5 unless otherwise specifed in Chapter 4,
Figure 8 (Core Area Commercial Floor Area Ratios) and Figure 9 (Mixed Use Floor Area
Ratios) of the General Plan, or in an applicable specifc plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the foor area ratio shall not exceed 1.0 on properties with a net lot area less than ten
thousand (10,000) square feet.
D(8) The ground foor height for all portions of a building located within ffty (50) feet of a street
line, as measured from the surface of the ground foor to the surface of the foor directly
above it, shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) feet.
D(9) The minimum depth of all ground foor tenant spaces abutting the street shall be the lesser
of the following:
a) Fifty (50) feet; or
b) Ten (10) feet less than the lot depth.
This requirement shall not apply to lobbies and entrance areas serving the upper foors of a
building or the portions of the ground foor located more than ffty (50) feet away from the
street line.
D(10) For new buildings or additions which include ground foor area intended uses other than
those described in Section
10-2.1.403(A), Residential Use Classifcations, in granting design
review approval the Design Review Authority pursuant to Part IV, Article 12, Design Review,
shall fnd that adequate ventilation features (such as internal vertical chases to the roof) are
provided in order to accommodate restaurants and other similar uses in the future.
D(11) A minimum of ten percent (10%) of the overall project site shall be landscaped. Front and
corner side landscaping requirements count toward the minimum site landscape area
requirement. 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. Where provided front and/or corner side setbacks are
more than fve (5) feet, the corresponding yards shall be landscaped as follows:
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
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i. For ground-foor commercial uses, a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the yard shall be
landscaped.
ii. For all other ground foor uses, a minimum of thirty percent (30%) of the yard shall be
landscaped.
See also Private Residential Outdoor Space in Section
10-2.3.126.
D(12) Each residential unit shall have at least two hundred (200) cubic feet of enclosed, 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 (2) or more
locations.
D(13) Parking spaces for uses described in Section
10-2.1.403(A), Residential Use Classifcations,
shall be separated from parking spaces for all other uses by means of signs, gates, barriers,
and/or markings.
D(14) No surface, ground level, or aboveground parking spaces shall be located within twenty (20)
feet of a street line or within ffty (50) feet of a street line for a Core Area retail street.

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
D(15) Within the plan area boundaries of the West Downtown Specifc Plan: The maximum density
is one (1) dwelling unit per seven hundred ffty (750) square feet of net lot area. This base
density shall be used for purposes of calculating any density bonus pursuant to Part III,
Article 10, Density Bonus Ordinance, and Government Code Section
65915.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Planning Commission or City Council may permit a
density up to one (1) dwelling unit per fve hundred (500) square feet of net lot area, upon
approval of a community beneft agreement pursuant to Part IV, Article 17, Community
Beneft Agreements.
Within the plan area boundaries of the North Downtown Specifc Plan: The maximum
density is one (1) dwelling unit per eight hundred seventy-fve (875) square feet of net lot
area. This base density shall be used for purposes of calculating any density bonus
pursuant to Part III, Article 10, Density Bonus Ordinance, and Government Code Section
65915.Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Planning Commission or City Council may permit
a density up to one (1) dwelling unit per six hundred seventy-fve (675) square feet of net lot
area upon approval of a community beneft agreement pursuant to Part IV, Article 17,
Community Beneft Agreements.
Outside of the plan area boundaries of the West Downtown and North Downtown Specifc
Plans: The maximum density is one (1) dwelling unit per eight hundred seventy-fve (875)
square feet of net lot area.
D(16) Within the plan area boundaries of the West Downtown Specifc Plan: Minimum FAR is 1.0.
Outside of the plan area boundaries of the West Downtown Specifc Plan: No minimum.

(§5, Ord. 2158, eff. 11/18/16; §6, Ord. 2161, eff. 1/19/17; §9, Ord. 2194, eff. 6/7/19; §12, Ord. 2200, eff. 12/6/19; §10, 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

10-2.2.2201

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