Article 5 — Hillside Planned Development District (H-P-D)

10-2.2.501 Purpose and Intent. ¶

The City of Walnut Creek is situated among a series of major and minor hills. These hill constitute a significant natural topographical feature of the community because they are visible to all persons traveling the major highway arteries leading to central Contra Costa County, as well as to citizens residing in and around the community. The migration of substantial number of persons to this area and the attendant technological amenities required to serve that population have not, as yet, detrimentally impinged upon these hills. However, in order to ensure the preservation of most of the hills, ridges, streams, ponds and associated riparian vegetation, ridgelines, and their natural features, a more harmonious visual and functional relationship is required between the existing and natural environment and the growing man-made environment. It is therefore the declared intent of the City that undeveloped land in hillside areas be placed into a Hillside Planned Development District, to be identified by the initials H-P-D, in order to accomplish the following:

a. To preserve significant features of a hill area in essentially their natural state as part of a comprehensive open space system;

b. To encourage, in hill areas, an alternative approach to conventional flat land practices of development;

c. To minimize grading and cut and fill operations consistent with the retention of the natural character of the hill areas;

d. To minimize the water runoff and soil erosion problems incurred in adjustment of the terrain to meet on-site and off-site development needs;

e. To achieve land use densities that are in keeping with the General Plan; however, in order to retain the significant natural features of the hill areas, densities will diminish as the slope of the terrain increases;

f. To ensure that the open space, as shown on any development plan, is consistent with the open space element shown on the General Plan;

g. To preserve the predominant views both from and of the hill areas and to retain the sense of identity and image that these hill areas now impart to the City of Walnut Creek and its environs; and

h. To preserve, where possible, natural streams, natural and manmade ponds and associated riparian vegetation.

10-2.2.502 Interim Uses. ¶

If any land has been zoned H-P-D but no P-D permit has been approved thereon, no new use shall be established on such land, except in accord with Section 10-2.3.1702, Ministerial Review Required. Any singlefamily residential or agricultural buildings lawfully existing at the time of the establishment of H-P-D zoning on that property may be enlarged, structurally altered, or accessory buildings may be constructed. Any remodeling or construction of any building as permitted by this article shall conform to the various conditions to use and the development regulations required in the R-40 district. (§3(7), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24)

10-2.2.503 Land Use Regulations. ¶

All land with an Open Space/Agriculture General Plan land use designation is hereby zoned "Hillside Planned Development" ("H-P-D") and shall be limited to a maximum density of one (1) dwelling unit per ten (10) acres. The City Council may authorize density transfers from Open Space/Agriculture lands to other lands pursuant to the procedures set forth in this code or pursuant to procedures established by the City Council; provided, that in no event shall dwelling units be transferred to Open Space/Agriculture lands or high risk areas, and in no event shall the density of the transferred lands exceed the maximum density allowed under the zoning applicable to such transferred lands. In determining the appropriate density transfer credit applicable to any such Open Space/Agriculture land, the City Council may authorize the transfer of a new density of no greater than one (1) dwelling unit per ten (10) acres. (Meas. P; Ord. 1781, 11/5/91)

No use shall be permitted in the Hillside 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 may be included in an approved P-D permit, if consistent with the General Plan land use designation. (§3(7), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24)

10-2.2.504 Open Space/Agriculture Land Density. ¶

Development on any Open Space/Agriculture Lands, as defined in this Ordinance, shall: (a) be prohibited on slopes with existing grades of twenty percent (20%) or greater, or within 75 vertical feet of any Ridgeline. or within the area surrounding any Native Tree for a distance of one and one-half times the distance from the trunk to the dripline, which slopes and areas shall be left in their natural state; (b) not exceed a density of one (1) dwelling unit per ten (10) acres; (c) be limited to detached, single family residential housing and normal appurtenances; (d) be located and constructed in such a manner as to prevent visual impacts on scenic vistas and existing neighborhoods; (e) not result in the cutting of or damage to any Native Tree; and (f) not be eligible for density bonuses, adjustments or averaging, including without limitation those provided in Subsection (g) of this Section 10-2.2220. (Meas. P; Ord. 1781, 11/5/91) (Section 10-2.2220. Hillside Planned Development H-P-D Permit has been eliminated from the zoning code. The statement in italics is no longer applicable.)

10-2.2.505 High Risk Area Density. ¶

Development within areas identified as High Risk Areas shall be limited to a maximum density of one (1) dwelling unit per twenty acres. If any High Risk Area is located wholly or partly within Open Space/Agriculture Lands, said area shall be subject to the provisions of Sec. 10-2.2.504., except that the maximum density shall be as specified in this section. (Meas. P; Ord. 1781, 11/5/91)

10-2.2.506 Land Use Regulations Table. Revised 4/25 ¶

No use shall be permitted in the Hillside Planned Development District except in accord with a valid Planned Development Permit. 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.

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 upon 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 parenthesis 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)(G)(J)
1. Adult Day Care Home	P
2. Congregate Living Facility
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
6. Residential Care Home	P
7. Accessory Dwelling Units
a. Accessory Dwelling Unit	P	(I)
b. Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit	P	(I)
8. Single Family Residential	P
9. Supportive Housing	L(11)
10. Transitional Housing	L(11)

LAND USE	USE REGULATIONS	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
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	L(2)
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
6. Commercial Cannabis Business
a. Commercial Cannabis Cultivation

LAND USE	USE REGULATIONS	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
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 Drinking Establishments
a. Eating and Drinking Establishments
(1) With Alcoholic Beverage Service
(2) With Live Entertainment/Dancing
(3) With Take-out Service
(a) Drive-up
(4) With Permanent Outdoor Seating

LAND USE	USE REGULATIONS	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
(5) 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
(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 Equipment
17. Mini Storage

LAND USE	USE REGULATIONS	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
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
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
27. Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Service
a. Automobile Sales/New and Used

LAND USE	USE REGULATIONS	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
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
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

LAND USE	USE REGULATIONS	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
3. Research Development Industry
4. Wholesaling, Distribution and Storage
D. Agricultural Use Classifcations
1. Animal Husbandry
2. Crop Production
E. Community Facility Use Classifcations		(A)
1. Adult Day Care Facility
2. Child Day Care Facility (Day Care Center)	L(2)
3. Clubs and Lodges
4. College, Public or Private	P
5. Cultural Institutions
a. Cultural Institutions
b. Natural History/Science Museum
6. Emergency Medical Care
7. Government Ofces

LAND USE	USE REGULATIONS	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
8. Hazardous Waste Management Facility
9. Heliports
10. Housing for the Homeless/Emergency Shelters
11. Hospitals
a. Acute Care
b. Other
12. Low Barrier Navigation Center
12. Maintenance and Service Facilities
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)	(F)

LAND USE	USE REGULATIONS	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
(2) Small Collection Facility	L(4)	(F)
(3) Large Collection Facility
b. Processing Facility
18. Religious Assembly	P
19. Residential Care Facility
20. Schools, Public or Private	P
21. Skilled Nursing Facilities
22. Utilities, Major	L(5)
23. Utilities, Minor	P
F. Accessory Uses		(A)
1. Accessory Living Quarters	L(6)
2. Accessory Structure	L(7)
3. Accessory Uses
a. Accessory Uses	L(8)
b. Garage Sales	P

LAND USE	USE REGULATIONS	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
c. Home Occupations	L(8)
d. Personal Cannabis Cultivation	L(10)	(H)
G. Temporary Uses
1. Arts and Crafts Shows, Outdoor	L(9)
2. Christmas Tree Sales
3. Civic/Community Events	L(9)
4. Farmers Markets
5. Live Entertainment Events	L(9)
6. Outdoor Seating/Eating and Drinking Establishment
7. Pumpkin Sales
8. Retail Sales, Outdoor
9. Swap Meets, Non-Recurring	L(9)
10. Swap Meets, Recurring
11. Street Fairs
12. Vendor Carts

USE REGULATIONS

USE REGULATIONS
L(1)	Repealed by Ord. 2248.
L(2)	Permitted if such use is owned by and used exclusively for the residents of the subdivision or series of subdivisions which contain such use .
L(3)	Private country clubs and golf courses or golf courses for general public use are permitted. All other uses within this category are not permitted.
L(4)	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(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)	Accessory living quarters, as defned in Part I, Article 4. Use Classifcations, are living quarters within an accessory structure, without kitchen facilities. Accessory living quarters are permitted subject to the standards in Sec. 10-2.3.103.Accessory Structures.
L(7)	Accessory structures are permitted subject to the standards in Sec. 10-2.3.103.Accessory Structures.
L(8)	Home Occupations are permitted subject to the approval of a Home Occupation Permit (see Sec. 10-2.3.107.Home Occupations ). Garage sales are a permitted use. For all other accessory uses, see the use regulation for the primary use classifcation.
L(9)	Permitted in private and public country clubs and golf courses, neighborhood swim centers, park and recreation facilities, religious assembly, and schools subject to the approval of a Temporary Activity Permit (see Sec. 10-2.3.118.Temporary Activity Permits).

	USE REGULATIONS
L(10)	Personal cannabis cultivation is permitted subject to the regulations outlined by Article 14 of Part III of the Zoning Ordinance.
L(11)	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.).
	ADDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS
(A)	No use shall be permitted in the Hillside Planned Development District except in accord with a valid Planned Development Permit.
(B)	See Sec. 10-2.3.103.Accessory Structures.
(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.
(F)	See Part III, Article 7. Recycling Facilities.
(G)	See Part III, Article 9. Inclusionary Housing.
(H)	See Part III, Article 14. Personal and Commercial Cannabis Activities.
(I)	See Part III, Article 5. Accessory Dwelling Units.
(J)	See Part III, Article 15. Qualifed Senate Bill 9 Properties.

(§9, Ord. 2129, eff. 7/3/14; §§7(1), (18)—(20), Ord. 2183, eff. 9/8/18; §7, Ord. 2188, eff. 3/8/19; §11, Ord. 2210, eff. 10/22/21; §5(1), Ord. 2216, eff. 7/2/22; §8, Ord. 2234, eff. 11/17/23; §3(7), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24; §3(2), Ord. 2248, eff. 2/21/25)

10-2.2.507 Permit Required. ¶

Except as provided in Section 10-2.2.502, Interim Uses, or Section 10-2.3.1702, Ministerial Review Required, property zoned pursuant to the provisions of this article shall neither be developed nor shall any grading permit be issued pursuant to Title 9 of this code until a P-D permit has been approved pursuant to Part IV, Article 10, Planned Development (P-D) Permits. (§3(7), Ord. 2243, eff. 9/7/24)

10-2.2.508 Property Development Regulations. ¶

The following schedule prescribes development regulations for the Hillside 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		D(1)
B. Minimum Lot Width		D(1)
C. Minimum Lot Frontage		D(1)
D. Minimum Lot Depth		D(1)
E. Minimum Setbacks
1. Front		D(1)
2. Side		D(1)
3. Corner Side		D(1)
4. Rear		D(1)
F. Maximum Height	25 feet
G. Density	1 dwelling unit per 10 acres	D(2)

CLASSIFICATION	DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
H. Maximum Lot Coverage		D(1)
I. Design Review	See Sec. 10-2.4.1202.
J. Landscaping	See Part III, Article 11.	D(3)
K. Storage Space for Residential Units		D(4)
L. Fences and Walls	See Sec. 10-2.3.104.
M. Antennas	See Sec. 10-2.3.120.
N. Non-Conforming Conditions	See Part III, Article 3.
O. Recycling Facilities	See Part III, Article 7.
P. Parking and Loading	See Part III, Article 2.
Q. Signs	See Title 10,Chapter 8.
R. Preservation of Trees	See Title 3.Chapter 8 and Sec. 10-2.2.504.
S. Hillside Performance Standards	See Part III, Article 4.
T. Stormwater Control	See Title 9,Chapter 16.
U. Private Residential Outdoor Space	See Sec. 10-2.3.126.
V. Courts	See Sec. 10-2.3.127.

CLASSIFICATION	CLASSIFICATION	DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
W. Lighting		See Sec. 10-2.3.128.
	ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
D(1)	The minimum lot area, lot width, lot frontage, lot depth and setbacks shall be determined in the approval of the Planned Development Permit.
D(2)	See Sec. 10-2.2.506.Land Use Regulations, Sec. 10-2.2.504.Open Space/Agriculture Land Density, and Sec. 10-2.2.505.High Risk Area Density.
D(3)	A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the lot net area shall be landscaped. 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. See also Private Residential Outdoor Space in Section 10-2.3.126.
D(4)	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.

(§2, Ord. 2037, eff. 12/17/04; §9, 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.

Disclaimer: The City Clerk's Office has the official version of the Walnut Creek

10-2.2.601

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