Mechanical Equipment Screening Standards in Concord

In the City of Concord, all exterior mechanical equipment, devices, and utilities must be screened from public view using methods that are architecturally compatible with the building’s design. Depending on the location of the equipment—whether roof-mounted, building-mounted, or ground-mounted—specific screening treatments are required to ensure the equipment is not visible from off-site or public areas.

Screening Requirements by Equipment Location

The Concord Development Code establishes specific screening standards based on the placement of the mechanical equipment:

Roof-Mounted Equipment

Screening for roof-mounted equipment must be architecturally compatible with the design, color, and materials of the building [Section 18.150.080(C)(1)]. The use of mechanical wells and parapet walls integrated into the building design is preferred [Section 18.150.080(C)(1)].

Building-Mounted Equipment

Equipment mounted to a building, such as utility closets and wall recesses, must be incorporated into the building’s design [Section 18.150.080(C)(2)]. Access doors or gates must be constructed of an opaque durable material [Section 18.150.080(C)(2)]. Perforated metal, landscaped metal trellises, or similar view-obscuring designs are acceptable; however, chain link gates with slats or fabric screening are prohibited unless the gate is hidden from off-site views [Section 18.150.080(C)(2)].

Ground-Mounted Equipment

The requirements for screening ground-mounted equipment depend on its setback location:

Location	Screening Requirement
Front or Street Side Setback	Must be enclosed in subsurface vaults (excluding utility meters for single-family dwellings, which may be located within interior side setbacks where required by the utility) [Section 18.150.080(C)(3)(a)].
Outside of Required Yard Areas	Must be screened by a welded wire trellis system or similar view-obscuring green screen [Section 18.150.080(C)(3)(b)].

When landscaping is used for screening, the City of Concord requires that larger-sized plant materials be installed, subject to approval by the planning division [Section 18.150.080(C)(4)].

General Provisions

Maintenance: If landscaping is used as a screening device, the property owner is responsible for ongoing maintenance [Section 18.150.080(C)(4)].
Exemptions: These requirements apply to all projects requiring a planning permit, with the exception of planning permits related to the development or use of an existing single-family residence [Section 18.150.080(B)].
Wireless Facilities: Wireless communication facilities are also subject to specific screening and concealment standards, which prohibit the use of barbed wire, razor ribbon, or electrified fences for security [Section 18.205.100(A)(6)].

Sections Cited