Part II — BASE DISTRICT REGULATIONS

Article 22 — Residential Mixed Use District (MU-R)

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

10-2.2.2201 Purpose and Intent.

The purpose of the Residential Mixed Use District is to encourage the development of a combination of medium- to high-intensity residential uses and limited commercial uses within the Core Area. Development in the Residential Mixed Use District is intended to be pedestrian-oriented, generally close to the street, and vertical in nature; typically with structured parking. Residential uses are encouraged on all floors, while restaurant and retail uses and the non-residential components of multifamily developments (leasing offices, community rooms, exercise facilities, etc.) are appropriate on the ground floor. The Residential Mixed Use District is intended to be primarily residential in nature, with the option for including a commercial component on the ground floor street frontage of residentially oriented mixed use developments. (§7, Ord. 2158, eff. 11/18/16)

10-2.2.2202 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
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
2. Congregate Living Facility P
3. Family Day Care Home
a. Small Family Day Care Home P (F)
b. Large Family Day Care Home P (F)
4. Group Residential P
5. Multiple Family Residential P
6. Residential Care Home P
7. Accessory Dwelling Units
a. Accessory Dwelling Unit P (O)
b. Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit
8. Single Family Residential
9. Supportive Housing L(19), L(20)
10. Transitional Housing L(19)
B. Commercial Use Classifcations (G)(H)
1. Ambulance Services
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
2. Animal Sales and Services
a. Animal Hospital/Veterinary Services L(2)
b. Animal: Retail Sales and Grooming L(3)
c. Horse Stables
d. Kennels
3. Artist Studios L(4)
4. Banks and Savings and Loans
a. Banks and Savings and Loans L(4)
(1) With Drive-up Services
(2) With Automated Teller Machines L(3)
5. Catering Services L(6)
6. Commercial Cannabis Business
a. Commercial Cannabis Cultivation
b. Commercial Cannabis Distribution
c. Commercial Cannabis Manufacturing
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
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(3)
9. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments
a. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments L(6)
(1) With Wine and Beer Service Ending at or Before
11:00 p.m.		 L(7)
(2) With Wine and Beer Service Ending After 11:00
p.m.
(3) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending at
or Before 11:00 p.m.		 L(7)
(4) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending
After 11:00 p.m.
(5) With Live Entertainment
(6) With Dancing
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
(7) With Take-out Services L(6)
(a) Drive-up
(8) With Permanent Outdoor Seating L(8)
(9) With Of-site Distribution U (J)
(a) Micro-breweries U (J)
10. Food and Beverage Sales
a. Food and Beverage Sales L(9)
b. Convenience Markets L(9)
(1) With Gasoline Sales
c. Specialty Food Shops L(9)
(1) With Of-site Distribution U (J)
11. Funeral and Interment Services
12. Health Clubs L(2)
13. Home Improvement Sales and Services L(2)
14. Horticultural Establishments
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
15. Lumber and Building Material Yards
16. Maintenance and Repair Services/Small
Equipment		 L(3)
17. Mini Storage
18. Nurseries
19. Ofces, Business and Professional
a. Ofces, Business and Professional L(4)
(1) Ofces, Medical L(4)
20. Parking, Commercial Facilities
21. Pawn Shops L(3)
22. Personal Improvement Services L(3)
23. Personal Services L(4)
24. Recreation and Entertainment, Commercial
a. Within a Building L(2)
b. Outdoor Facilities
25. Research and Development Services
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
26. Retail Sales/Rentals L(4)
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
(1) Limited Vehicle Service
g. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Rentals L(3)
h. Vehicle Storage
28. Visitor Accommodations
a. Bed and Breakfast Inns U
b. Hotels L(4)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
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 (G)
1. Adult Day Care Facilities L(4)
2. Child Day Care Facilities (Day Care Center) L(4) (F)
3. Clubs and Lodges L(4)
4. Colleges, Public or Private L(4)
5. Cultural Institutions
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
a. Cultural Institutions L(4)
b. Natural History/Science Museums L(4)
6. Emergency Medical Care/No Inpatient
7. Government Ofces L(4)
8. Hazardous Waste Management Facilities
9. Heliports
10. Hospitals
a. Acute Care
b. Other
11. Housing for the Homeless/Emergency Shelters U
12. Low Barrier Navigation Center L(21) (P)
13. Maintenance and Service Facilities
14. Park and Recreation Facilities P
15. Public Parking Facilities U
16. Public Safety Facilities L(4)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
17. Public Transit Terminals
18. Recycling Facilities
a. Collection Facilities
(1) Reverse Vending Machine Facilities L(10) (L)
(2) Small Collection Facilities L(10) (L)
(3) Large Collection Facilities
b. Processing Facilities
19. Religious Assembly L(4)
20. Residential Care Facilities L(11)
21. Schools, Public or Private L(4)
22. Skilled Nursing Facilities L(4)
23. Utilities, Major L(12)
24. Utilities, Minor P
F. Accessory Uses (G)
1. Accessory Living Quarters
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
2. Accessory Structure L(13)
3. Accessory Use L(14)
a. Garage Sales
b. Home Occupations L(15) (M)
c. Personal Cannabis Cultivation L(18) (N)
G. Temporary Uses (G)(H)
1. Arts and Crafts Shows, Outdoor L(16)
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
2. Christmas Tree Sales L(16)
3. Civic/Community Events L(16)
4. Farmers Markets L(16)
5. Live Entertainment Events L(16)
6. Outdoor Seating for Eating and Drinking
Establishments		 L(12)
7. Pumpkin Sales L(16)
8. Retail Sales, Outdoor L(16)
9. Street Fairs L(16)
LAND USE LAND USE USE REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
10. Swap Meets, Non-Recurring L(16)
11. Swap Meets, Recurring L(16)
12. Vendor-Carts L(17)
USE REGULATIONS
L(1) Repealed by Ord. 2248.
L(2) Conditionally permitted on the ground foor of a completely enclosed multistory building;
otherwise not permitted.
L(3) Permitted on the ground foor of a multistory building; otherwise not permitted.
L(4) Permitted on the ground foor of a multistory building; conditionally permitted on the foors
above the ground foor of a multistory building. In approving a Conditional Use Permit, the
Planning Commission shall fnd that the proposed use is compatible with residential uses in
the same building, and will not negatively impact existing or future residential uses in the
same building or surrounding area with respect to noise, odor, trafc, privacy, or other
factors.
L(5) Permitted on the ground foor of a multistory building 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 Shops; otherwise not permitted. 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 and 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 and future residential uses in the surrounding
area, including that resulting from garbage pickup.

USE REGULATIONS

USE REGULATIONS USE REGULATIONS
L(6) Permitted on the ground foor of a multistory building subject to review and approval of the
Design Review Authority pursuant to Part IV, Article 12, Design Review; otherwise not
permitted. 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 and 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 and future residential uses in the surrounding
area, including that resulting from garbage pickup.
L(7) Permitted upon approval of an Administrative Use Permit pursuant to Part III, Article 12,
Alcoholic Beverage Sales.
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) Permitted on the ground foor of a multistory building except that facilities which include the
sale of alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine) or tobacco products are conditionally
permitted; otherwise not 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(10) Permitted in a Convenience Zone (as defned by Section
10-2.1.303,Defnitions) subject to
the approval of the Community Development Director.
L(11) Permitted 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
10-2.2.2203.

USE REGULATIONS

USE REGULATIONS USE REGULATIONS
L(12) Electrical substations, above-ground electrical transmission lines, water pumping stations
and switching buildings are permitted uses. All other uses within this classifcation are not
permitted.
L(13) Accessory structures are permitted subject to Section
10-2.2.2203,Property Development
Regulations.
L(14) See the use regulations for the primary use classifcation.
L(15) Home Occupations are permitted subject to the approval of a Home Occupation Permit
pursuant to Section
10-2.3.107,Home Occupations.
L(16) Permitted subject to the approval of a Temporary Activity Permit pursuant to Section
10-
2.3.118,Temporary Activity Permits.
L(17) 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(18) Personal cannabis cultivation is permitted subject to the regulations outlined by Article 14 of
Part III of the Zoning Ordinance.
L(19) 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(20) 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(21) Permitted by right when meeting the requirements of Section
65662 of the California
Government Code.
ADDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS
--- ---
(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) Consistent with the General Plan, residential uses must be the primary use.
(H) See Section
10-2.3.121,Regulations for Outdoor Sales, Service, Display.
(I) See Municipal Code, Title
4,Chapter 11, Public Dance Permits.
(J) See Section
10-2.3.123,Ofsite Distribution for Eating and Drinking Establishments and
Specialty Food Shops.
(K) See Part III, Article 2, Of-Street Parking and Loading Regulations.
(L) See Part III, Article 7, Recycling Facilities.
(M) See Section
10-2.3.107,Home Occupations.
(N) See Part III, Article 14, Personal and Commercial Cannabis Activities.
(O) See Part III, Article 5, Accessory Dwelling Units.
ADDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS
--- ---
(P) See Part III, Article 16, Objective Standards for Emergency Shelters and Navigation Centers.

(§7, Ord. 2158, eff. 11/18/16; §7, Ord. 2161, eff. 1/19/17; §§7(1), (45)—(47), Ord. 2183, eff. 9/8/18; §3, Ord. 2188, eff. 3/8/19; §18, Ord. 2210, eff. 10/22/21; §5(1), Ord. 2216, eff. 7/2/22; §4, Ord. 2239, eff. 7/5/24; §3(20), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24; §3(2), Ord. 2248, eff. 2/21/25)

10-2.2.2203 Property Development Regulations.

The following schedule prescribes development regulations for the Residential 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 Regulations column is blank, the development regulation is then outlined in the "Additional Regulations" footnote.

idential 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 Regulations column is blank, the development regulation is then outlined in the "Additional Regulations" 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)
CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS		 ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
F. Maximum Height D(6)
G. Density 1 dwelling unit per 425
sq. ft. of net lot area
H. Maximum Lot Coverage NA
I. Maximum Floor Area Ratio D(7)
J. Minimum Ground Floor Height D(8)
K. Minimum Ground Floor Depth D(9)
L. Courts See Section
10-2.3.127.
M. Design Review See Section 10‑2.4.1202. D(10)
N. Landscaping See Part III, Article 11. D(11)
O. Storage Space for Residential Units D(12)
P. Fences and Walls See Section 10-2.3.104.
Q. Antennas See Section 10-2.3.120.
R. Non-Conforming Conditions See Part III, Article 3.
S. Elevators See Section 10-2.3.124.
T. Recycling Facilities See Part III, Article 7.
CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS
--- --- ---
U. Parking and Loading See Part III, Article 2.
V. Signs See Title
10,Chapter 8.
W. Preservation of Trees See Title
3,Chapter 8.
X. Hillside Performance Standards See Part III, Article 4.
Y. Stormwater Control See Title
9,Chapter 16.
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
D(1) Any existing lot having a depth of less than 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.
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
--- ---
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 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 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(7) 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
--- ---
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: The maximum
foor area ratio shall be as 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, as measured from the surface of the ground foor to the surface of
the foor directly above it, shall be a minimum of 18 feet for all uses other than those
described in Section
10-2.1.403(A), Residential Use Classifcations; otherwise 12 feet.
D(9) The minimum depth of all ground foor tenant spaces abutting the street for all uses other
than those described in Section
10-2.1.403(A), Residential Use Classifcations, shall be the
lesser of the following:
a) Fifty feet; or
b) Ten feet less than the lot depth
This requirement shall not apply to uses described in Section
10-2.1.403(A), Residential Use
Classifcations.
CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS		 ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Design Review Commission may allow exceptions to the
dimensional standards and overlap restrictions for yards and courts which are specifed
above. In granting Design Review approval, the Design Review Commission shall fnd that
the interior(s) of the dwelling unit(s) will be provided with visual access to open sky, access
to direct or indirect sunlight, and visual privacy, all equal to or better than what would
otherwise be provided through compliance with the standard requirements.
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
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
--- ---
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:
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 in a manner approved by the
Transportation Administrator by means of signs, gates, barriers, and/or markings.
D(14) No surface, ground level, or above ground 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.

(§7, Ord. 2158, eff. 11/18/16; §8, Ord. 2161, eff. 1/19/17; §13, Ord. 2200, eff. 12/6/19; §11, 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

10-2.2.2301

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