Concord · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Concord?
In Concord, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 3 base zones (RL, RM and RH, 1 with a condition), needs a permit in 6 (NTS, CO, CMX, NC, DP and 1 more, all with a condition) and not allowed in 15 (Concord use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RL, RM and RH
- Needs a permit: NTS, CO, CMX, NC, DP and DMX
- Not allowed: RR, RS, SC, RC, WMX, OBP, IBP, IMX and 7 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Concord Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Concord's code calls this use “Multifamily”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| RL | Allowed — see note Note 3: Multifamily is only allowed on parcels in the affirmatively furthering fair housing overlay district. | § 18.30.020 |
| RM | Allowed | § 18.30.020 |
| RH | Allowed | § 18.30.020 |
| NTS North Todos Santos district | Needs a minor use permit or use permit (zoning clearance if the project meets note 4) — see note Note 4: Zoning clearance required for multifamily projects when a project is located entirely on a parcel or parcels listed in the current housing element sites inventory that conform to objective development standards and Chapter 18.152 CDC (Objective Design Standards). | § 18.35.020 |
| CO | Needs an use permit (zoning clearance if the project meets the note) — see note Note 8: Zoning clearance required for multifamily projects when a project is located entirely on a parcel or parcels listed in the current housing element sites inventory that conform to objective development standards and Chapter 18.152 CDC (Objective Design Standards). | § 18.40.020 |
| CMX | Needs an use permit (zoning clearance if the project meets the note) — see note Note 8: Zoning clearance required for multifamily projects when a project is located entirely on a parcel or parcels listed in the current housing element sites inventory that conform to objective development standards and Chapter 18.152 CDC (Objective Design Standards). | § 18.40.020 |
| NC | Needs an use permit (zoning clearance if the project meets the note) — see note Note 8: Zoning clearance required for multifamily projects when a project is located entirely on a parcel or parcels listed in the current housing element sites inventory that conform to objective development standards and Chapter 18.152 CDC (Objective Design Standards). Note 1: Not allowed on ground floor. | § 18.40.020 |
| DP Downtown Pleasant | Needs an use permit (zoning clearance if the project meets the note) — see note Note 11: Zoning clearance required for multifamily projects when a project is located entirely on a parcel or parcels listed in the current housing element sites inventory that conform to objective development standards and Chapter 18.152 CDC (Objective Design Standards). Note 13: Residential uses shall be located above the ground floor of the building for properties directly facing Todos Santos Plaza, and the ground floor shall be occupied by a retail or restaurant use. | § 18.45.020 |
| DMX Downtown Mixed Use | Needs an use permit (zoning clearance if the project meets the note) — see note Note 11: Zoning clearance required for multifamily projects when a project is located entirely on a parcel or parcels listed in the current housing element sites inventory that conform to objective development standards and Chapter 18.152 CDC (Objective Design Standards). | § 18.45.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- No size split in the row. Condition-based cells: RL (AFFH overlay parcels only), CO/CMX/NC/DP/DMX/NTS (ZC only for qualifying housing-element projects, else UP/MP). Group housing, single-family attached and mixed-use are separate rows. Chapter 18.120 (S12) says the AFFH overlay allows multifamily and single-family attached by zoning clearance if objective standards are met.
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: Zone names for RR, RS, RL, RM, RH, CO, CMX, NC, SC, RC, DP, DMX, WMX, OBP, IBP, IMX, HI, OS, PR, RLC, WRC, CRP-GF (chapter intros not in the packet); Use definitions (CDC 18.20.020) for Group Housing, Residential Care Facility Large, Elementary Middle Secondary; AFFH overlay (Chapter 18.120, S12) is an overlay, not a base zone, and changes SFH, duplex and multifamily rules on listed parcels; Airport overlay (A), other overlays. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Concord
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the NTS zone in Concord?
Only with a minor use permit or use permit (zoning clearance if the project meets note 4). Concord's use table lists it that way in NTS (North Todos Santos district) (§ 18.35.020). The code adds a condition: “Zoning clearance required for multifamily projects when a project is located entirely on a parcel or parcels listed in the current housing element sites inventory that conform to objective development standards and…”
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RR zone in Concord?
No. Concord's use table does not allow it in RR (§ 18.30.020).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RL zone in Concord?
Yes, with a condition. Concord's use table lists it as allowed in RL (§ 18.30.020). The code adds a condition: “Multifamily is only allowed on parcels in the affirmatively furthering fair housing overlay district.”
General information, not legal advice.
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