Local zoning · Danville

Danville — Development Standards

Development Standards under the Danville local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes the Danville municipal zoning development standards that control setbacks, height, lot coverage, floor‑area ratio (FAR), and density where the Town's Planning and Land Use ordinance specifies them. It focuses on the Downtown Business District land use areas where the ordinance provides the most explicit, numeric development controls; other district texts are listed in the code but not all numeric standards were present in the retrieved materials. Refer to the linked local topic pages for related requirements on parking, design review, overlays and ADUs in Danville as you prepare a submittal.

Quick links used below (first mention of each is hyperlinked): Danville Zoning, Danville Land Use, Danville Parking, Danville Design Review, Danville Overlay Districts, Danville ADUs, California Building Standards Code.

Downtown Business District — how the ordinance structures development standards

Danville's Downtown Business District (DBD) is divided into land use Areas (Area 9 through 13, 10, 11, etc.). Division 3 of the DBD code (titled "Development Standards") sets the architectural, massing, parking and site standards that apply to those Areas and cross‑references procedures for Development Plan and design review (§ 32‑45 series) . Where the code lists numerical controls, they are Area‑specific rather than a single table of generic citywide setbacks. See the district subsections below for the Area‑by‑Area rules pulled from the ordinance text.

Notes about terms: where the code says a measurement is "as established through a site‑specific Development Plan approval," the ordinance defers numeric setback/side/rear rules to project review rather than listing a fixed number in the Area text (verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific decisions) (§ 32‑45.21, § 32‑45.21.1) .

Downtown Business District (general)

  • Purpose & scope: The DBD controls design character, storefront/ground‑floor uses, and building massing to protect Downtown's pedestrian scale and historic resources; architectural standards are codified in § 32‑45.22 (Architectural Development Standards) .
  • Design review & development plan: All DBD Areas apply the DBD development standards in a manner that ensures contextual design; design review and Development Plan procedures are cross‑referenced in the DBD Division 5 procedures (see § 32‑45.41 et seq.) and Area texts (e.g., references to design review in Area 13) .
  • Typical requirements called out across Areas: front yard build‑to/average setbacks (commonly 10 ft average in several Areas), site‑specific side/rear setbacks, and frontage requirements to encourage retail/restaurant on the ground floor in specified Areas (§ 32‑45.22; various Area sections) .

(When the ordinance discusses on‑site standards such as parking, it places numeric parking rules in the DBD parking division — see § 32‑45.34 for DBD parking standards; some Areas allow reductions under specific conditions.)

Area 9 — Multi‑Family Residential High/Medium Density (§ 32‑45.19)

  • Purpose: Supports multifamily residential development consistent with 20–25 dwelling units/acre (General Plan alignment) (§ 32‑45.19) .
  • Typical permitted uses: Multifamily residential and related group/home uses consistent with § 32‑24 (multifamily uses) (§ 32‑45.19) .
  • Key dimensional / development standards (explicit in code):
    • Height: 2 stories or 35 ft, whichever is less; accessory structures 15 ft max (§ 32‑45.19) .
    • Setbacks: Front yard: 25 ft minimum from public right‑of‑way; Side yard: 40 ft total (min 20 ft); Rear yard: 20 ft minimum (§ 32‑45.19) .
    • Submittal requirements: projects must show private open space sizes, parking layout, fencing plans, etc. (§ 32‑45.19) .

Area 10 — Mixed Use (Prudential Building) (§ 32‑45.20)

  • Purpose & location: A site‑specific Mixed Use area (Prudential Building at 630 San Ramon Valley Blvd) carrying Development Plan DP 2000‑27 rules (§ 32‑45.20) .
  • Permitted uses: Business/professional offices, service offices, retail, accessory uses as approved by prior Development Plan; some uses (restaurants, bars, residential) are prohibited (§ 32‑45.20) .
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Floor Area Ratio (FAR) max: 65% of net developable area (conditioned space included) (§ 32‑45.20) .
    • Height: 2 stories or 35 ft, whichever is less; accessory 15 ft (§ 32‑45.20) .
    • Setbacks: Front yard: 10 ft average; Side yard: 15 ft total (min 5 ft); Rear yard: 20 ft min (§ 32‑45.20) .

Area 11 — Special Opportunity District (§ 32‑45.21)

  • Purpose: Allows flexible standards for large downtown parcels to achieve a mix of uses while protecting Downtown character (§ 32‑45.21) .
  • Permitted/typical uses: Wide set of retail, restaurant, blended uses, above‑ground‑floor residential, hotels/motels, personal services, offices (with ground‑floor retail emphasis in certain Areas) (§ 32‑45.21) .
  • Dimensional notes:
    • The Area text emphasizes project‑specific development requirements; many numeric items (setbacks, heights) can be established through a sitespecific Development Plan (§ 32‑45.21) .
    • Retail/restaurant ground‑floor priority and storefront standards apply to maintain pedestrian environment (§ 32‑45.22) .

Area 12 — Multifamily Residential High Density (25–30 du/ac) (§ 32‑45.21.1)

  • Purpose: To permit multifamily consistent with Residential‑Multifamily‑High Density (25–30 du/ac) in Downtown Master Plan (§ 32‑45.21.1) .
  • Permitted uses: All multifamily uses under § 32‑24; conditional uses per § 32‑24.4 (§ 32‑45.21.1) .
  • Key development controls:
    • FAR: maximum 80% of net developable area (habitable/conditioned space). The ordinance explicitly states non‑habitable/non‑conditioned areas (e.g., enclosed garages, carports, structured basement parking) are excluded from FAR calculation for this Area (§ 32‑45.21.1) .
    • Height: 35 ft max; accessory structures 15 ft (§ 32‑45.21.1) .
    • Setbacks: Minimum building setbacks are established through a site‑specific Development Plan approval; future development near I‑680 or San Ramon Creek must provide additional setbacks to mitigate noise/air/flood/pedestrian path needs (§ 32‑45.21.1) .
    • Supplemental submittal requirements (storage, private open space sizes, percent land coverage, parking layout) are required at Development Plan submittal (§ 32‑45.21.1) .

Area 13 — Multifamily Residential‑High Special (30–35 du/ac) (§ 32‑45.21.2)

  • Purpose: Permits multifamily consistent with 30–35 du/ac; minimum 30 du/ac and maximum 35 du/ac unless density bonus provisions apply (§ 32‑45.21.2) .
  • Permitted uses: Multifamily and a range of supportive/health/transitional housing uses consistent with state law; ground‑floor commercial required along certain corridors (8–10% of net floor space of first two stories) (§ 32‑45.21.2) .
  • Key dimensional and massing rules:
    • FAR: maximum 120% of net land area (net FAR cap) (§ 32‑45.21.2) .
    • Unit size: where 10+ units, maximum average unit size 1,500 sq ft (§ 32‑45.21.2) .
    • Story/height: maximum 3 stories; when 3‑story massing is used there are articulation requirements (minimum 7.5% of building footprint expressed as 2 or 2½ stories); the ordinance prescribes mixes of 33', 35', 37' heights averaging 35' for affected portions unless authorized through design review; accessory structure max 15' (§ 32‑45.21.2) .
    • Parcel‑specific exceptions: certain parcels on Diablo Road allow 4 stories with portions averaged to 45 ft (parcel APNs listed); building height measurement methodology in § 32‑45.10 controls how heights are measured (§ 32‑45.21.2) .
    • Setbacks: Front yard 10 ft average from public right‑of‑way for downtown Areas (DBD front yard rule), side/rear set by site‑specific Development Plan when applicable (§ 32‑45.21.2) .

Quick Standards Table (decision‑relevant summary)

District (code) Max height FAR / density Typical setbacks (front / side / rear) Key uses / notes Code Reference
Area 9 (32‑45.19) 2 stories or 35 ft 20–25 du/ac target Front 25 ft / Side 40 ft total (min 20 ft) / Rear 20 ft Multifamily; group homes; accessory 15 ft § 32‑45.19
Area 10 (32‑45.20) 2 stories or 35 ft FAR 65% Front 10 ft avg / Side 15 ft total (min 5 ft) / Rear 20 ft Mixed use (site‑specific Prudential Building rules) § 32‑45.20
Area 11 (32‑45.21) Project/site‑specific (DBD rules apply) Project/site‑specific Setbacks site‑specific; storefront priority in parts Special Opportunity—flexible standards via Dev Plan § 32‑45.21; § 32‑45.22
Area 12 (32‑45.21.1) 35 ft (acc. 15 ft) FAR 80% (habitable only) Setbacks by Dev Plan; special setbacks near I‑680/creek Multifamily 25–30 du/ac; FAR excludes non‑habitable parking structures § 32‑45.21.1
Area 13 (32‑45.21.2) 3 stories; mix of 33',35',37' averaging 35'; parcel exceptions up to 45' FAR 120%; density 30–35 du/ac Front 10 ft avg typical in DBD; side/rear often site‑specific Multifamily high special; ground‑floor commercial on corridors required § 32‑45.21.2

(See each Area subsection above for the ordinance text references. Where the code defers to Development Plan approval the numeric standard is set project‑by‑project—verify with the Town.)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for a DBD Development Plan)

  • Confirm the property's Land Use Area (DBD Area number) in the zoning map and cross‑check permitted uses under § 32‑45 and § 32‑24 (multifamily uses) .
  • Demonstrate compliance with the Area numeric limits shown above (height, FAR, density) where the Area lists them (e.g., FAR 80% for Area 12, FAR 120% for Area 13) and show FAR calculations with excluded elements per the Area text (§ 32‑45.21.1, § 32‑45.21.2) .
  • Provide the supplemental materials the code requires at Development Plan submittal (parking layout — including bicycle/tandem, private open space sizes, private storage, percent land coverage, screening of utilities, fencing/retaining wall details, lighting plans) (§ 32‑45.21.1, § 32‑45.19, and related Area submittal lists) .
  • Provide storefront/ground‑floor programming and façade details consistent with the architectural standards in § 32‑45.22 if within Areas that require retail/restaurant continuity (§ 32‑45.22) .
  • Demonstrate parking compliance or request a parking reduction with supporting findings where the code allows reductions (see DBD parking division § 32‑45.34 and Area exceptions) and link to Danville Parking for practical standards and fees .
  • Identify any overlay or special requirements that apply (historic preservation, scenic hillside, floodplain, etc.) and consult the overlay district rules; where uncertain, consult the Town and the overlay map (§ 32‑72, § 32‑69 not shown in numeric detail in retrieved materials) .
  • Expect design review and/or Development Plan hearings per the DBD procedures; include material demonstrating how the building massing respects adjacent Heritage Resources where applicable (§ 32‑45.22) .

Helpful internal links in your application process: Danville Zoning, Danville Land Use, Danville Parking, Danville Design Review, Danville Overlay Districts, Danville ADUs. Also confirm building code compliance with the California Building Standards Code.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Setbacks "established through site‑specific Development Plan" Several Areas (e.g., Area 12, portions of DBD) do not list fixed side/rear setbacks — project setbacks may be negotiated and are not guaranteed Verify the exact setback numbers that will be applied to your parcel in the Town's Development Plan review (§ 32‑45.21.1)
What counts toward FAR Area 12 explicitly excludes non‑habitable/ non‑conditioned spaces (garages, carports, structured basement parking) from FAR, but this exclusion is Area‑specific Use Area § text to support your FAR calculation; verify that your planned parking/storage is treated consistently by the planner (§ 32‑45.21.1)
Parcel‑specific height exceptions in Area 13 Several DPS parcels have different allowed story/height mixes (up to 45 ft) and special massing rules Confirm whether your APN is subject to the parcel‑specific heights in § 32‑45.21.2 and how height is measured (§ 32‑45.21.2; § 32‑45.10)
Intersection with state ADU law State ADU rules limit local controls over setbacks, lot coverage and certain size limits for ADUs — Danville local ADU rules may be constrained by state law Check Danville's ADU chapter and state ADU law (not fully repeated in the retrieved DBD materials). See Danville ADUs and the California ADU guidance file for state constraints (state law excerpts in the package)
Parking reductions and state housing laws DBD permits parking reductions for seniors, reduced auto dependency, or where state housing law provides default parking standards — eligibility and default standards can materially affect site layout and cost Confirm whether your project qualifies for a reduction and, if relying on density bonus or state law, include supporting analysis (§ 32‑45.21; DBD parking rules § 32‑45.34)
Lot area / width rules The code index lists § 32‑45.24 for "Lot Area and Width" but the numeric text was Not found in retrieved materials Verify § 32‑45.24 content with the Town (text not included in the uploaded files)

Plain‑English summary

If you're developing in Downtown Danville, first identify which DBD Area your parcel sits in — many Areas (e.g., Area 9, Area 10, Area 12, Area 13) contain explicit height, setback and FAR/density limits (examples: Area 12 FAR 80%, Area 13 FAR 120%), but several Areas defer side and rear setback numbers to a site‑specific Development Plan; expect design review and Area‑specific submittal requirements and verify parcel exceptions early with the Town (§ 32‑45.21.1, § 32‑45.21.2, § 32‑45.19, § 32‑45.20) .

Source References

  • Danville Municipal Code — Downtown Business District, Area 9 (Multi‑Family High/Medium) — § 32‑45.19
  • Danville Municipal Code — Downtown Business District, Area 10 (Mixed Use, Prudential Building) — § 32‑45.20
  • Danville Municipal Code — Downtown Business District, Area 11 (Special Opportunity) — § 32‑45.21
  • Danville Municipal Code — Downtown Business District, Area 12 (Multifamily High) — § 32‑45.21.1
  • Danville Municipal Code — Downtown Business District, Area 13 (Multifamily High Special) — § 32‑45.21.2
  • Danville Municipal Code — Architectural Development Standards (DBD) — § 32‑45.22
  • Danville Municipal Code — DBD Administrative Relief / Variance reference — § 32‑45.27
  • DBD parking references and numerical parking allowances/reductions — § 32‑45.34 (referenced in Area texts)
  • State ADU and related guidance (uploaded reference excerpt) — California ADU guidance file (state law summaries)

(Internal topic pages linked earlier for practical process navigation: Danville Zoning, Danville Land Use, Danville Parking, Danville Design Review, Danville Overlay Districts, Danville ADUs; check Town planning counter for definitive, parcel‑specific determinations.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Danville Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (Section 32-24) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (Section 32-45.10) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (Section 32-24) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (Section 32-45.10) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (Section 32-45.10) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R‑1 lot in Danville?

The uploaded ordinance index shows a Single Family Residential district block at § 32‑22, but the detailed numeric development standards for the R‑1 / single‑family districts were Not found in retrieved materials. Verify permitted uses and R‑1 dimensional standards with the Town’s zoning staff and the full § 32‑22 text.

What are Danville setback requirements in the Downtown Business District?

Setbacks vary by DBD Area: several downtown Areas use a 10 ft average front yard build‑to as the typical frontage rule, but some Areas list larger front setbacks (e.g., Area 9 front 25 ft) and many side/rear setbacks are determined through a site‑specific Development Plan. Always confirm the applicable Area text: see § 32‑45.19, § 32‑45.20, § 32‑45.21.1 and Area summaries.

What are Danville height limits downtown?

Height is Area‑specific. Examples from the code: Area 9 is 2 stories or 35 ft, Area 10 is 2 stories or 35 ft, Area 12 is 35 ft, and Area 13 generally allows 3 stories with mixes of 33', 35', 37' averaging 35' and parcel exceptions up to 45 ft for specified APNs (§ 32‑45.19, § 32‑45.20, § 32‑45.21.1, § 32‑45.21.2) .

What FAR or density caps apply in Downtown Danville?

Area caps shown in the code include Area 12 FAR = 80% (habitable/conditioned space counted), Area 13 FAR = 120%, and Area 10 lists FAR = 65%. Density targets are included in Area 12 (25–30 du/ac) and Area 13 (minimum 30 du/ac, max 35 du/ac absent density bonus) (§ 32‑45.21.1, § 32‑45.21.2, § 32‑45.20) .

Does Danville allow FAR to count parking or garages downtown?

For Area 12 the code explicitly states that non‑habitable/non‑conditioned project areas (e.g., enclosed individual garages, carports, or structured basement parking facilities) shall not be assessed towards a project's FAR calculation (§ 32‑45.21.1) . For other Areas, check the specific Area language or Development Plan interpretation.

Do I need design review for a Downtown development?

Yes — Downtown Areas reference design review and the Development Plan process as the way architectural, massing and storefront issues are implemented; the architectural standards are codified in § 32‑45.22 and Area texts reference design review as a mechanism for authorizing deviations or interpreting massing and height mixes (see § 32‑45.22 and Area 13 language) .

Can the Town reduce parking requirements for a housing project downtown?

The DBD allows parking reductions on a project‑by‑project basis under specified conditions (senior housing, anticipated reduced auto dependency, state housing law default standards, density bonus invokes) — see the Area texts referencing the DBD parking standards and § 32‑45.34 for the DBD parking rules (§ 32‑45.21, § 32‑45.34) .

Where are lot area and width rules for downtown?

The code index lists § 32‑45.24 Lot Area and Width, but the numeric text of that section was Not found in retrieved materials supplied here; confirm the § 32‑45.24 text with the Town for precise lot/width thresholds.

How does Danville treat ADUs relative to FAR/lot coverage?

State ADU law constrains local rules on lot coverage, FAR and setbacks for ADUs; the uploaded state ADU guidance (included with your materials) outlines those state limitations. For Danville's local ADU rules consult the Danville ADU chapter and confirm how local practice coordinates with state ADU law (local ADU rules were not fully replicated in the DBD Area excerpts) .

If my parcel abuts I‑680 or San Ramon Creek, are there special setback rules?

Yes — several Area texts (notably Area 12 and downtown general language) require development adjacent to I‑680 or San Ramon Creek to be set back to the extent feasible to mitigate noise/vibration/air quality or to accommodate pedestrian paths and resource agency needs; specifics are determined at Development Plan review (§ 32‑45.21.1, § 32‑45.21.2) .

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