Local zoning · Danville

Danville — Land Use

Land Use under the Danville local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page synthesizes what the Town of Danville’s local zoning/planning ordinance actually says about land use: which uses are permitted or conditional, how the Downtown Business District is organized into Areas, and the key dimensional and development controls that determine what a property can be used for. Everything below is grounded in the Danville Municipal Code citations found in the retrieved ordinance materials; where the ordinance text was not available in the supplied files I note that explicitly. See the checklist and risks at the end for what to verify before applying.

Note: links below point to related GoCodebook pages for Danville topics cited in the ordinance (parking, development standards, design review, overlays, ADUs, and the state building code). These are the first natural inline links to each topic in the document.

How to read this page

  • Bolded terms are the exact district names and numeric standards pulled from the ordinance (for quick scanning).
  • Every legal requirement is tied to the Danville code using the § glyph and the local code section number. File citations for the retrieved ordinance excerpts are woven into the text.

District-by-district breakdown

Note: Danville’s ordinance uses a mixture of townwide zoning districts (for example R-B, C, L-I, O-1, P-1, and multiple M- multifamily districts) and a special Downtown Business District divided into Area 1–13. The ordinance text for many specific Areas and districts is in the retrieved materials; where a full list of permitted uses or standards was not present in the retrieved files I flag that.

Downtown Business District (DBD) — overview

  • Purpose: The Downtown Business District is divided into Area 1 through Area 13 to tailor permitted uses, development standards and required ground-floor retail orientation in different parts of downtown. See the DBD table and the individual Area sections for specifics. § 32-45.10 and the DBD Area sections contain this structure.
  • Where it applies: Downtown map areas identified in the ordinance (the DBD map and the listing of Areas). § 32-45.10.
  • Common controls across Areas: many DBD Areas require a minimum percentage of ground-floor retail/restaurant, site-specific setback / development-plan approvals, and a 35-foot typical maximum height unless the Area’s text says otherwise. See each Area citation below. (Examples: Area 11/12/13 permit mixed/higher-density residential uses with detailed FAR and height controls; Area 8 and Area 11 include explicit retail/restaurant ground-floor percentages.) § 32-45.21, § 32-45.18, § 32-45.19.

Sub-Areas called out in the retrieved materials:

Area 8: Retail/Office (Livery Shopping Center)

  • Purpose: commercial retail/restaurant/office cluster subject to an existing P-1 Planned Unit District (DP 83-3 / DP 84-9). § 32-45.18.
  • Typical permitted uses: retail, restaurant (food to go, full service, limited service), bar/nightclub, tasting room, blended uses, outdoor seating, outdoor display, and incidental accessory uses. Some free-standing pads allow business & professional offices, service office, service commercial. § 32-45.18.b.
  • Conditional uses / prohibited uses: Outdoor storage and outdoor sales events allowed with a Land Use Permit; supermarkets, drugstores, service stations, car washes, drive-up windows and other large or vehicle-oriented uses are explicitly prohibited. § 32-45.18.c–d.
  • Dimensional / development standards: The Area generally adheres to the Development Plan that created it (setbacks “as previously approved and constructed under Development Plan DP 84-9”). § 32-45.18.e.
  • Practical note: this Area is effectively governed by its prior P‑1 approvals—verify approved DP files before assuming standard setbacks. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Area 9: Multi-Family Residential High/Medium Density

  • Purpose: permit multifamily consistent with 20–25 du/acre General Plan density. § 32-45.19.a.
  • Permitted uses: multifamily uses listed in § 32-24 (the multi-family district rules), plus supportive housing, transitional housing, emergency shelters (limited to max occupancy 20), and group/community care facilities consistent with state law. § 32-45.19.b.
  • Conditional uses: Conditional uses per § 32-24.3 (Land Use Permit required). § 32-45.19.c.
  • Key dimensional standards: height limit of two stories or 35 feet, whichever is less; accessory structures 15 ft. setbacks — front 25 ft, side total 40 ft (min. 20 ft), rear 20 ft. § 32-45.19.e–f.
  • Practical note: Area 9 has explicit numeric setbacks and height—use these when evaluating a multifamily conversion/rehab. For design matters see the town’s design review rules.

Area 10: Mixed Use (Prudential Building)

  • Purpose & scope: site-specific area (Prudential Building at 630 San Ramon Valley Boulevard) that retains its P‑1 Planned Unit District controls. § 32-45.20.a–b.
  • Permitted uses: as previously approved under DP 2000-27 — business & professional offices, service office, retail, incidental accessory uses. § 32-45.20.b.
  • Prohibited uses: restaurants, bars, tasting rooms, and residential in this Area are explicitly prohibited. § 32-45.20.d.

Area 11 / Area 12 / Area 13: Higher-density / Special Opportunity / Multifamily

  • Area 11 (Special Opportunity): permits mixed commercial/residential with strong ground-floor retail orientation and a minimum ground-floor retail requirement in many cases (examples of the 75% ground-floor retail standard occur in Area 11-type text). § 32-45.21.
  • Area 12 (Multifamily High Density): purpose to permit multifamily consistent with 25–30 du/acre; permitted uses: multifamily uses under § 32-24; conditional uses subject to § 32-24.4 (Land Use Permit). Prohibited: short-term rentals. FAR cap 80% of net developable area; height limit 35 ft (accessory 15 ft); setbacks are established by site-specific Development Plan. § 32-45.21.1.a–e, f, g.
  • Area 13 (Multifamily-High Special): min density 30 du/acre, max 35 du/acre (absent density bonus); FAR up to 120% net land area; max story height 3 stories; special rules for ground-floor commercial percentage when abutting commercial corridors; prohibited: short-term rentals. § 32-45.21.2.
  • Practical note: Areas 12 and 13 contain explicit density, FAR, and unit-size controls (Area 13 limits average unit size for 10+ unit projects to 1,500 sq ft)—these are not typical “generic” rules and must be applied exactly. § 32-45.21.2.f.

Townwide/non-DBD zoning districts

Below are the district headings actually used in the code and where the retrieved text points you.

M-30, M-25, M-20, M-13, M-8, M-35 — Multifamily Residential Districts

  • Where defined: § 32-24 (M‑30) and neighboring sections list the different multifamily districts and the uses allowed within them. The code cross-references these in the Downtown Area permitted-use lists. § 32-24.
  • Retrieved materials reference permitted multifamily uses, conditional uses (Land Use Permit), and state-law conforming group-home/care facilities. When applying, consult the exact multifamily district section that matches the parcel’s M‑number for setbacks, density, and parking. § 32-24; 32-45.x where used.
  • If you need the numeric setbacks/lot coverage for a particular M‑district, verify with the jurisdiction; the retrieved excerpts did not include every M‑district numeric table. Not found in retrieved materials for some M‑districts.

R-B (Retail Business) — § 32-60

  • The code establishes R-B as the Retail Business District and lists it among available districts. The retrieved index shows § 32-60 as the R‑B district heading. Specific permitted-use text for R‑B was not included in the file snippets returned. § 32-60. Not found in retrieved materials for the full R‑B permitted-use table.

C (General Commercial) — § 32-61

  • Identified in the code index; specific uses or dimensional standards for C were not included in the retrieved snippets. Verify the detailed permitted use table under § 32-61. Not found in retrieved materials.

L-I (Light Industrial) — § 32-62

  • The code explicitly reserves some industrial uses (for example dry cleaning plants are permitted only in L‑I subject to a land use permit). See § 32-93 and the cross-reference to L‑I. § 32-62 and § 32-93.
  • Practical note: certain specialized uses (dry-cleaning plants) are restricted to L‑I and require a land use permit. § 32-93.3.

O-1 (Limited Office) — § 32-51

  • Listed in the district index; specific permitted uses and standards require consulting § 32-51 in the code. Not found in retrieved materials beyond the index.

P-1 (Planned Unit District) — § 32-63

  • P‑1 is used as the underlying zone for site-specific development plans (e.g., Livery Shopping Center, Prudential Building). Where a P‑1 exists, the Development Plan and prior DP approvals control permitted uses and setbacks. See Area 8 and Area 10 examples. § 32-63 and the Area narrative.

Decision-relevant table (typical permitted uses / standards)

Topic / District Key rule or common permitted uses Controlling code citation
Area 8 (Livery Shopping Ctr) permitted non-automotive retail/food uses; prohibits supermarkets, service stations, car washes Retail, restaurants (full/limited/food-to-go), bars, tasting rooms; accessory offices on pads; outdoor display allowed; supermarkets & service stations prohibited § 32-45.18
Area 9 height & setbacks Height 2 stories or 35 ft (whichever less); front 25 ft / side 40 ft total (min 20 ft) / rear 20 ft § 32-45.19.e–f
Area 12 (Multifamily High Density) FAR & height FAR 80% net area; height 35 ft; accessory 15 ft; setbacks per site‑specific Development Plan § 32-45.21.1.e
Area 13 density, FAR, unit-size Min density 30 du/ac; max 35 du/ac; FAR up to 120%; 3‑story max; average unit size cap 1,500 sq ft for 10+ unit projects § 32-45.21.2.a,e,f,g
Dry cleaning plants location restriction Dry cleaning plants allowed only in L‑I, subject to Land Use Permit § 32-93.3
Ground-floor retail requirement (DBD Areas) Many DBD Areas require a high % of ground-floor retail/restaurant (examples: 75% ground-floor retail in some Areas; other Areas require 8–10% ground-floor commercial when adjacent to corridors) § 32-45.21, § 32-45.21.2.b(1)

Practical guidance & how rules interact

  • If your parcel is in the DBD, the Area text is often more specific than the townwide district rules: Area-specific FAR, ground-floor retail percentages and development-plan‑level setbacks will control. See the Area text (for example Area 11–13 language). § 32-45.21; § 32-45.21.1; § 32-45.21.2.
  • Conditional uses across multiple districts require a Land Use Permit or Development Plan approval and are governed by the cross-reference to the Land Use Permit provisions (for multifamily conditional uses see § 32-24.3/§ 32-24.4 as cited in Area text). Verify which subsection (32-24.3 vs 32-24.4) applies to the specific Area text. § 32-45.19.c; § 32-45.21.1.c.
  • Parking is regulated separately from permitted-use lists (see the Downtown parking standards and general parking article); many DBD Area rules explicitly allow reduction of DBD numerical parking where the project is senior housing or has reduced vehicle dependency, and require on‑street parking maximization or structured parking tradeoffs. For the parking rules and possible parking reductions see the DBD Parking discussion. Link to town parking guidance here for design and numeric rules: Danville Parking. § 32-45.21.e(3).
  • Setbacks and many dimensional standards in the Downtown Areas are often “established through a site-specific Development Plan” rather than fixed numeric tables—so expect a Development Plan to set final setbacks in many DBD Areas. See the DBD Area language and the town’s Development Standards. § 32-45.21.1.e(5).

(Quick links to related topics used by applicants: Danville Zoning, Danville Development Standards, Danville Parking, Danville Design Review, Danville Overlay Districts, Danville ADUs, California Building Standards Code.)

  • When design review or compatibility with the Town’s architectural heritage is required, consult the Town’s design-review procedures and standards. Danville Design Review. § 32-45.21.2.a references the design review requirement for compatibility in Area 13.

Checklist

An applicant should confirm the following before filing an application:

  • Confirm the parcel’s mapped zoning district and any Downtown Area assignment on the Town zoning map (DBD Area number vs. townwide district). Verify with the jurisdiction. § 32-45.10.
  • Identify whether the proposed use is listed as permitted, conditional (Land Use Permit), or prohibited in the district/Area text (e.g., check § 32-45.18, § 32-45.19, § 32-45.21.1/2 as applicable).
  • Confirm applicable numeric standards: height, FAR, setbacks, lot coverage, and any average-unit-size limits (Area 13 average unit size cap 1,500 sq ft for ≥10 units). § 32-45.21.2.f; 32-45.19.e–f.
  • Review parking obligations and any DBD parking reduction options; prepare parking plan per the Downtown parking provisions. Danville Parking; § 32-45.21.e(3).
  • Determine if a Development Plan and/or Land Use Permit and design-review approval are required; collect site-specific submittal requirements (elevations, unit sizes, parking layout, open space, screening). See DBD Development Plan application detail (§ 32-45.41 referenced in several Area sections). § 32-45.21.1.g; 32-45.19.g.
  • Check overlays or special districts that may add constraints (historic preservation, floodplain, interchange transitional, etc.). Danville Overlay Districts. Verify overlay applicability on the parcel. § 32-56, § 32-117 (index references).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Area-specific vs townwide rules DBD Area text often supersedes townwide tables for setbacks/FAR/ground-floor use — wrong assumption can derail an application Confirm the parcel’s DBD Area and read that Area’s § (e.g., § 32-45.18, § 32-45.21.1/2)
Lack of full numeric tables for some districts in retrieved files Index lists a district (e.g., § 32-60 R‑B) but detailed permitted-use/numeric text was not in our retrieved snippets Pull the full text of § 32-60, § 32-61, § 32-51 from the Town’s code or ask Planning staff. Not found in retrieved materials.
Conflicting conditional-use cross-references Area texts refer to § 32-24.3 or § 32-24.4 for conditional uses — application requirements differ by the subsection Confirm which subsection is invoked in the specific Area clause; call Planning if unclear. § 32-45.19.c; § 32-45.21.1.c.
Ground-floor retail % obligations Some Areas require 75% ground-floor retail; others require smaller percentages tied to corridors (8–10%) — failure to meet these can prevent building permits Verify the exact percent in the Area clause (e.g., § 32-45.21, § 32-45.21.2.b(1)) and whether existing/previous DP approvals modify the requirement.
Parcel-specific prior DPs or P‑1 conditions Older Development Plans (DP 83-3, DP 84-9, DP 2000-27) may set different setbacks/heights Check recorded Development Plan and P‑1 conditions; many Area texts explicitly defer to previous DP approvals. § 32-45.18.e.
ADUs and state law interplay ADU rules are handled by state law plus local ADU procedures; no ADU numeric provisions were in the retrieved DBD snippets For ADUs consult local ADU page and California ADU law; verify local ADU implementations against state law. Not found in retrieved materials (local ADU procedure specifics).

Plain-English Summary

Danville’s zoning code organizes downtown into 13 distinct Areas that often override generic zone tables: check the Area section that covers your parcel for permitted uses, required ground-floor retail percentages, FAR, height, and setbacks; many non-downtown districts (R‑B, C, L‑I, M‑series, O‑1, P‑1) still control uses in the rest of town. Conditional uses require a Land Use Permit or Development Plan, and some uses (for example dry‑cleaning plants) are limited to specific districts. Always confirm the DBD Area, any recorded Development Plan, and the exact subsection citations before filing. § 32-45.10; § 32-45.18; § 32-45.19; § 32-45.21.1/2.

Source References

  • Danville Municipal Code, CHAPTER XXXII PLANNING AND LAND USE — Code index and DBD overview, including § 32-45.10 (Land Use Areas) and DBD table entries. § 32-45.10.
  • Area 8 (Livery Shopping Center) text: § 32-45.18 (permitted uses, conditional uses, prohibited uses, DP references). § 32-45.18.
  • Area 9 (Multi-Family High/Medium) text: uses, height and setbacks: § 32-45.19.
  • Area 11 / Area 12 (Multifamily High Density): permitted/conditional uses and FAR 80% / 35 ft height for Area 12: § 32-45.21.1.
  • Area 13 (Multifamily-High Special): min/max density, FAR 120%, average unit size cap, story limits: § 32-45.21.2.
  • Dry cleaning plants regulation (only allowed in L‑I) and land use permit requirement: § 32-93.
  • DBD development-plan submittal requirements and design review cross-references: § 32-45.41 referenced in Area subtexts; supplemental submittal lists appear in multiple Area subsections (e.g., § 32-45.21.1.g). § 32-45.41; § 32-45.21.1.g.

Related GoCodebook pages referenced inline (first natural mention of each topic):

  • Danville Zoning (/us/california/danville) — quick place to confirm mapped zoning.
  • Danville Development Standards (/us/california/danville/development-standards) — for setbacks, height measurement rules.
  • Danville Parking (/us/california/danville/parking) — for parking numbers and exceptions referenced in DBD Areas.
  • Danville Design Review (/us/california/danville/design-review) — DBD Areas frequently require design review.
  • Danville Overlay Districts (/us/california/danville/overlay-districts) — overlays may add requirements.
  • Danville ADUs (/us/california/danville/adu) and California ADU law (/us/california/california-adu-laws) — ADU-state interplay.
  • California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes) — referenced where the code defers to state building standards (notably for conversions).

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Danville Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§ 9) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (Section 32-24) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (Section 32-24) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (Section 32-45.25.a) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§2) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What can I build in Danville’s Downtown Business District (DBD)?

You must look up the DBD Area that contains your parcel — the DBD is split into Area 1–13 and each Area has its own permitted/conditional uses and development controls. Many Areas require high ground-floor retail percentages, limits on short-term rentals, and site-specific setbacks via Development Plan. See the DBD Area text for the parcel (for example § 32-45.18, § 32-45.19, § 32-45.21.1/2).

What are Danville’s setback requirements for a multi-family project?

If the parcel is in a DBD Area, setbacks are frequently set by a site-specific Development Plan rather than a fixed table (for example Area 12 states setbacks are established through Development Plan approval). For non-DBD multifamily districts check the M‑district text; Area 9 explicitly lists front 25 ft / side 40 ft total (min 20 ft) / rear 20 ft and height 2 stories or 35 ft. § 32-45.21.1.f; § 32-45.19.f–e.

Do I need design review for a Downtown development in Danville?

Yes — several Downtown Area provisions explicitly require compatibility with the Town’s architectural heritage and review through Danville’s design review process (for example Area 13 calls for design review to achieve the desired form of development). Check the Area’s language and the design-review rules. § 32-45.21.2.a.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Danville multifamily Areas?

Several DBD Areas explicitly prohibit short-term rentals (for example Areas 9, 12, and 13 prohibit short-term rentals). Always confirm the Area clause that covers your parcel. § 32-45.19.d; § 32-45.21.1.d; § 32-45.21.2.d.

Can a business with outdoor sales or storage operate in the DBD?

Some DBD Areas allow outdoor display and outdoor sales events either as permitted or as conditional uses (e.g., Area 8 allows outdoor display and permits outdoor storage and outdoor sales with a Land Use Permit). Always verify the specific Area text to see if outdoor storage/sales is permitted or requires a Land Use Permit. § 32-45.18.b/c.

Where are dry cleaning plants allowed in Danville?

The code limits new dry cleaning plants to the L‑I Light Industrial district and requires a land use permit for them. See § 32-93 for the dry-cleaning-plant rule. § 32-93.3.

Does the DBD allow a higher FAR in exchange for structured parking?

Yes — some DBD Area texts (Area 11/12 language) permit consideration of a higher FAR in exchange for the provision of up to 100% onsite parking through underground or structured parking, as determined case-by-case in a Development Plan review. Check the relevant Area’s FAR and parking tradeoff language. § 32-45.21.e(1–2).

How do townwide parking rules interact with Downtown Area rules?

Downtown Areas often reference the Downtown Business District parking standards and allow reductions in specific circumstances (e.g., for senior housing or projects with reduced vehicle dependency). Always consult the DBD parking standards and prepare a parking plan showing any requested reductions. § 32-45.21.e(3).

Where can I find a list of permitted uses for the R‑B or C districts?

The code index lists § 32-60 (R‑B) and § 32-61 (C) as the relevant sections, but the detailed permitted-use text for those sections was not present in the retrieved snippets — pull the full text of those sections or ask Planning to confirm permitted uses and numerical standards. Not found in retrieved materials.

If a parcel has a prior Development Plan (DP 83-3, DP 84-9, etc.), which controls?

Recorded Development Plan conditions and the P‑1 Planned Unit District terms that established the earlier approvals can supersede the generic Area standards for setbacks and permitted uses. Area texts often defer to prior DP approvals (see Area 8 and Area 10 examples). Verify the recorded Development Plan for the parcel. § 32-45.18.e; § 32-45.20.a–b. ---

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