Downtown Zoning Districts in Concord
The Downtown Districts in Concord comprise the Downtown Pedestrian (DP), Downtown Mixed-Use (DMX), and West Concord Mixed-Use (WMX) zones, which are designed to support high-density residential and commercial activity near the Concord BART station. These districts allow for building intensities ranging from 4.0 to 6.0 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and residential densities of up to 100 dwelling units per net acre, with a strong emphasis on pedestrian-oriented design and vertical mixed-use development.
District Purposes
The Downtown Districts are established to foster cohesive, high-density urban environments:
- Downtown Pedestrian (DP): Focused on the 10-block area surrounding Todos Santos Plaza and connecting to the Concord BART station. This district prioritizes pedestrian-oriented commercial uses at the ground level, with mid-rise vertical mixed-use development permitted above [Section 18.45.010].
- Downtown Mixed-Use (DMX): Appropriate for a cohesive mix of high-density residential, commercial, and office uses. Vertical mixed-use in a single building is highly encouraged, with retail at the ground level and office/residential uses above [Section 18.45.010].
- West Concord Mixed-Use (WMX): Located west of downtown along Concord Avenue and the Walnut Creek Channel. This district allows for a mix of schools, commercial, office, retail, multi-tenant office/warehouses, and institutional development, but does not permit residential uses [Section 18.45.010].
Development Standards
The following standards apply to the Downtown Districts:
| Standard | Downtown Pedestrian (DP) | Downtown Mixed-Use (DMX) | West Concord Mixed-Use (WMX) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density (min/max) | 33–100 du/net acre | 33–100 du/net acre | N/A |
| FAR (min/max) | 0.75 – 4.0 | 1.0 – 6.0 | – / 4.0 |
| Lot Area (min) | 5,000 sf | 10,000 sf | 25,000 sf |
| Building Height (max) | 70 feet | 200 feet | 140 feet |
Note: For the West Concord Mixed-Use (WMX) district, increased height may be allowed in DMX with a use permit [Section 18.45.030].
Setback Requirements
The following minimum setback requirements apply to the Downtown Districts:
| Setback | Downtown Pedestrian (DP) | Downtown Mixed-Use (DMX) | West Concord Mixed-Use (WMX) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 0 feet | 10 feet | 10 feet |
| Interior Side | 0 feet | 0 feet | 10 feet |
| Corner Side | 0 feet | 10 feet | 10 feet |
| Rear | 0 feet | 0 feet | 0 feet |
Note: Setbacks are measured from the property line to the face of the building or structure [Section 18.45.030].
Parking and Loading
The Downtown Districts of Concord have specialized parking requirements:
- Parking Options: Within the DP and DMX districts, parking requirements may be met by either providing required off-street parking or, subject to a use permit, by paying an in-lieu fee to the city [Section 18.160.060].
- In-Lieu Fees: The in-lieu parking fee is used by the city for purposes such as acquiring and developing off-street parking facilities or improving mass transit equipment and transportation management programs [Section 18.160.060].
- Exclusions: Low-density single-family residences within the DP and DMX districts are exempt from the in-lieu parking fee program [Section 18.160.060].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.45.010
- Section 18.45.030
- Section 18.160.060