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Part II — BASE DISTRICT REGULATIONS

Article 4 — High Density Residential Planned Development District (M-H-D)

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

10-2.2.401 Purpose and Intent.

The purpose of the High Density Residential Planned Development District is to provide multiple family high density housing in close proximity to retail and commercial areas of the downtown Core Area. The intent is to encourage a high density residential neighborhood in the Alma Avenue area while allowing some ground level commercial uses. To provide the greatest flexibility, development will be regulated by a minimum and maximum floor area ratio.

10-2.2.402 Land Use Regulations. Revised 4/25

No use shall be permitted in the High Density Residential Planned Development District except in accord with a valid planned development permit or Section 10-2.3.1702, Ministerial Review Required. Any permitted or

conditionally permitted use in the Land Use Regulations Table (as follows) may be included in an approved planned development permit, if consistent with the General Plan land use designation and the Alma Avenue Specific Plan (Specific Plan #9).

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)(H)
1. Adult Day Care Home P
2. Congregate Living Facility P
3. Family Day Care Home
a. Small Family Day Care Home P (E)
b. Large Family Day Care Home P (E)
4. Group Residential
5. Multiple-Family Residential P
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
6. Residential Care Home P
7. Accessory Dwelling Units
a. Accessory Dwelling Unit P (K)
b. Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit
8. Single-Family Residential
9. Supportive Housing L(12), L(13)
10. Transitional Housing L(12)
B. Commercial Use Classifcations (A)(F)
1. Ambulance Services
2. Animal Sales and Service
a. Animal Hospital
b. Animal: Retail Sales and Grooming
c. Horse Stables
d. Kennel
3. Artist Studio
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
4. Banks and Savings and Loans
a. Banks and Savings and Loans
(1) With Drive-up Service
(2) With Automated Teller Machine L(2)
5. Catering Services
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
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
9. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments (I)
a. Eating and/or Drinking Establishments L(3)
(1) With Wine and Beer Service Ending at or Before
11:00 p.m.		 L(4)
(2) With Wine and Beer Service Ending After 11:00
p.m.		 L(5)
(3) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending at
or Before 11:00 p.m.		 L(4)
(4) With Full Alcoholic Beverage Service Ending
After 11:00 p.m.		 L(5)
(5) With Live Entertainment
(6) With Dancing
(7) With Take-out Service L(3)
(a) Drive-up
(8) With Permanent Outdoor Seating L(3)
(9) With Of-site Distribution
(a) Micro-brewery L(3)
10. Food and Beverage Sales
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
a. Food and Beverage Sales L(3)
b. Convenience Market L(3)
(1) With Gasoline Sales
c. Specialty Food Shops L(3)
(1) With Of-site Distribution
11. Funeral and Interment Services
12. Health Clubs L(3)
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
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
b. Ofces, Medical
20. Parking, Commercial Facility
21. Pawn Shop
22. Personal Improvement Services L(3)
23. Personal Services L(3)
24. Recreation and Entertainment, Commercial
a. Within a Building
b. Outside a Building
25. Research and Development Services
26. Retail Sales/Rental L(3)
27. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Service
a. Automobile Rental/Leasing
b. Automobile Sales/New and Used
c. Automobile Washing
d. Automobile Wrecking
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
e. Service Stations
(1) Automobile Washing
f. Vehicle/Equipment Repair
(1) Limited Vehicle Service
g. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Rentals
h. 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
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
D. Agricultural Use Classifcations
1. Animal Husbandry
2. Crop Production
E. Community Facility Use Classifcations (A)
1. Adult Day Care Facility U
2. Child Day Care Facility (Day Care Center) U (E)
3. Clubs and Lodges
4. College, Public or Private
5. Cultural Institutions
a. Cultural Institutions
b. Natural History/Science Museum
6. Emergency Medical Care
7. Government Ofces
8. Hazardous Waste Management Facility
9. Heliports
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
10. Housing for the Homeless/Emergency Shelters
11. Hospitals
a. Acute Care
b. Other
12. Low Barrier Navigation Center L(14) (L)
13. Maintenance and Service Facilities
14. Park and Recreation Facilities P
15. Public Parking Facilities
16. Public Safety Facilities U
17. Public Transit Terminals
18. Recycling Facilities
a. Collection Facility
(1) Reverse Vending Machine L(6) (G)
(2) Sml. Collection Facility L(6) (G)
(3) Lrg. Collection Facility
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
b. Processing Facility
19. Religious Assembly
20. Residential Care Facility U
21. Schools, Public or Private
22. Skilled Nursing Facilities
23. Utilities, Major L(7)
24. Utilities, Minor P
F. Accessory Uses (A)
1. Accessory Living Quarters
2. Accessory Structure L(8)
3. Accessory Use L(9)
a. Garage Sales P
b. Home Occupations L(9)
c. Personal Cannabis Cultivation L(11) (J)
G. Temporary Uses (F)
LAND USE LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
1. Arts and Crafts Shows, Outdoor L(10)
2. Christmas Tree Sales
3. Civic/Community Events L(10)
4. Farmers Markets
5. Live Entertainment Events L(10)
6. Outdoor Seating/Eating and Drinking Estab
7. Pumpkin Sales
LAND USE USE REGULATIONS ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
8. Retail Sales, Outdoor
9. Swap Meets, Non-Recurring
10. Swap Meets, Recurring
11. Street Fairs
12. Vendor Carts
USE REGULATIONS
L(1) Repealed by Ord. 2248.
L(2) 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
USE REGULATIONS
security and lighting and that queuing for the ATM does not impede pedestrian or vehicular
trafc fow.
L(3) Permitted on the ground foor of a multi family project upon approval of a Conditional Use
Permit (unless developed in conjunction with a multifamily project in which case the use
shall be approved as part of the Planned Development Permit). In approving the Use Permit
or the Planned Development Permit (if the use is developed in conjunction with a multi
family project) the Planning Commission must fnd that:
a) The proposed use is located on Bothelo Avenue; and
b) The use, in terms of activities, location, size, appearance and signage, will not alter nor
detract from the residential character of the neighborhood.
L(4) Permitted subject to L(3) and an additional fnding by the Planning Commission that the use
is consistent with the Administrative Use Permit Compliance Checklist Conditions of
Approval pursuant to Article 12 of Part III of the Zoning Ordinance.
L(5) Not permitted if located within 600 feet of a 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 both L(3) and to Article 12 of Part III of the Zoning
Ordinance.
L(6) Reverse vending machines used by occupants of single family homes, duplex units and
multiple family housing projects for the sole collection and storage of recyclable material
generated by on-site residents are permitted. Reverse vending machines and small
collection facilities are permitted in Community Service Facilities (see Part III, Article 7.
Recycling Facilities. for the defnition of "Community Service Facilities") upon approval by
the Community Development Director. Storage containers must be enclosed or placed out
of view of any public right-of-way.
L(7) 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(8) Accessory structures are permitted subject to the standards in Sec.
10-2.3.103.Accessory
Structures.
USE REGULATIONS
L(9) Home Occupations are permitted subject to the approval of a Home Occupation Permit (see
Sec.
10-2.3.107.Home Occupations). For all other accessory uses, see the use regulation
for the primary use classifcation.
L(10) Permitted in Park and Recreation Facilities subject to the approval of a Temporary Activity
Permit (see Sec.
10-2.3.113.Temporary Activity Permits).
L(11) Personal cannabis cultivation is permitted subject to the regulations outlined by Article 14 of
Part III of the Zoning Ordinance.
L(12) 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(13) 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(14) Permitted by right on Bothelo Avenue when meeting the requirements of Section
65662 of
the California Government Code.
ADDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS
(A) No use shall be permitted in the High Density Residential Planned Development District
except in accord with a valid Planned Development Permit.
(B) See Sec.
10-2.3.103.Accessory Buildings.
(C) See Sec.
10-2.3.107.Home Occupations.
(D) See Sec.
10-2.3.108.Animals.
(E) See Part III, Article 6. Child Day Care Facilities.
ADDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS
(F) See Sec.
10-2.3.121.Regulations for Outdoor Sales, Service and Display.
(G) See Part III, Article 7. Recycling Facilities.
(H) See Part III, Article 9. Inclusionary Housing.
(I) See Part III, Article 12. Alcoholic Beverage Sales.
(J) See Part III, Article 14. Personal and Commercial Cannabis Activities.
(K) See Part III, Article 5. Accessory Dwelling Units.
(L) See Part III, Article 16. Objective Standards for Emergency Shelters and Navigation Centers.

(Ord. 1877, eff. 1/6/96; §§8, 9, 10, Ord. 2109, eff. 6/15/12; §8, Ord. 2129, eff. 7/3/14; §§7(1), (15)—(17), Ord. 2183, eff. 9/8/18; §3, Ord. 2188, eff. 3/8/19; §10, Ord. 2210, eff. 10/22/21; §5(1), Ord. 2216, eff. 7/2/22; §3(6), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24; §3(2), Ord. 2248, eff. 2/21/25)

10-2.2.403 Permit Required.

Except in accord with Section 10-2.3.1702, Ministerial Review Required, any property zoned High Density Residential Planned Development shall not be developed until a planned development (P-D) permit has been obtained pursuant to the provisions of Part IV, Article 10, Planned Development (P-D) Permit. (§3(6), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24)

10-2.2.404 Property Development Regulations.

The following schedule prescribes development regulations for the High Density Residential Planned Development 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 15,000 sq ft D(1)
CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS		 ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
B. Minimum Lot Width 100 feet D(1)
C. Minimum Lot Frontage 100 feet D(1)
D. Minimum Lot Depth NA
E. Minimum Setbacks D(1)
1. Front NA
2. Side NA
3. Corner Side NA
4. Rear NA
F. Maximum Height D(2)
G. Density D(3)
H. Maximum Lot Coverage NA
I. Design Review See Sec.
10-2.4.1202.		 D(1)
J. Open Space D(4)
K. Storage Space for Residential Units D(5)
L. Screening D(6)
CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION DEVELOPMENT
REGULATIONS		 ADDITIONAL
REGULATIONS
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 D(7)
S. Signs See Title
10,Chapter 8.
T. Preservation of Trees See Title
3.Chapter 8.
U. Utility Undergrounding D(8)
V. Stormwater Control See Title
9,Chapter 16.
W. Landscaping See Part III, Article 11.
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
D(1) Refer to Specifc Plan #9 for Design Guidelines and graphic illustrations of design concepts.

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
D(2) The maximum building height is 70 feet, not to exceed 35 feet in designated view corridors
surrounding the entrance to the park. The Planning Commission reserves the authority to
review and approve the transition between height zones.
D(3) The maximum base foor area ratio is 1.5. The minimum base foor area ratio is 0.75.
Additional foor area over the maximum base FAR will be permitted for projects that include
at least 20% of the units reserved for occupancy by low- and moderate-income households,
as defned by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for this
metropolitan area. At least 40% of these units (8% of all units) must be reserved for low-
income households. The maximum FAR bonus for low and moderate income housing is 0.5.
D(4) A minimum of twenty percent (20%) 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:
i. A minimum of forty percent (40%) of the yard shall be landscaped.
ii. For projects with ground-foor commercial uses, a minimum of twenty percent (20%) of
the yard shall be landscaped.
See also Private Residential Outdoor Space in Section
10-2.3.126.
D(5) Each residential unit shall have at least 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 or more locations.
D(6) Exterior storage, electrical and mechanical systems shall be screened. Trash and refuse
collection and disposal facilities shall be enclosed by a solid fence or hedge that is no lower
than the facilities themselves.
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
D(7) One space per bedroom, but in no case fewer than 1.25 spaces per unit. Required spaces
may be located up to 200 feet from the residential building they serve. Of-site parking shall
be permitted if located on a site under the same ownership and a reciprocal parking
agreement (that includes the City of Walnut Creek as a party to that agreement) and deed
restriction have been recorded on the property.
D(8) All utilities in the area shall be undergrounded.

(§2, Ord. 2037, eff. 12/17/04; §8, Ord. 2108, eff. 4/7/12; §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.

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10-2.2.501

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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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