Open Space and Landscaping Requirements for RS-12 Single-Family Residential Districts in Concord
The RS-12 (Single-Family Residential) district in Concord requires a minimum lot area of 12,000 square feet and maintains a maximum lot coverage of 25 percent. While general open space and recreational requirements for residential developments of three or more units are established in the development code, individual single-family lots in the RS-12 district must comply with specific setback and height standards to ensure neighborhood consistency.
Landscaping and Open Space Standards
The RS-12 zoning district is categorized under the Single-Family Residential districts [Section 18.15.020]. Landscaping for individual single-family dwellings in the RS-12 district is primarily governed by front yard requirements and general maintenance standards.
Private Open Space and Recreational Requirements
For residential development projects consisting of three or more new dwelling units, the following open space and recreational requirements apply:
- Private and Open Space: Developments with three or more dwelling units must provide at least 200 square feet of private and/or open space per dwelling unit. This must include a minimum of 60 square feet of private open space per unit [Section 18.150.100].
- Recreational Facilities: Projects of 25 units or more are required to provide at least one recreational facility (e.g., game court, play lot, or swimming pool) [Section 18.150.100].
Residential Lot Standards (RS-12)
The RS-12 district is designed for single-family residential use with a density of 2.5 to 10 dwelling units per net acre [Section 18.15.010, Section 18.15.020]. The following table outlines the development standards for the RS-12 district:
| Standard | RS-12 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 12,000 square feet |
| Minimum Lot Width | 100 feet |
| Minimum Lot Depth | 85 feet |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 25 percent |
| Maximum Building Height | 30 feet |
Note: Setback requirements for the RS-12 district include a 20-foot front setback, a 10-foot interior side setback, a 20-foot aggregate side setback, a 15-foot corner side setback, and a 25-foot rear setback [Section 18.30.030, Section 102].
General Landscaping and Maintenance
- Front Yard Landscaping: New construction of a single-family dwelling requires that street-facing yards be landscaped in accordance with Chapter 18.165 and Chapter 18.170 [Section 18.165.030].
- Maintenance: All landscaping must be permanently maintained in a healthy, thriving condition. Irrigation systems must be maintained to prevent water waste, such as excessive runoff, low-head drainage, or overspray onto adjacent property, roadways, or structures [Section 18.165.080].
- Traffic Visibility: No landscaping element within a visibility triangle at an intersection or driveway may exceed three feet in height, except for trees with canopies trimmed to a minimum of eight feet above grade [Section 18.150.170].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.15.010: Purpose
- Section 18.15.020: Zoning map and districts
- Section 18.30.030: RR and RS districts – Development standards
- Section 18.150.100: Open space and recreational facilities for residential development
- Section 18.150.170: Traffic visibility at intersections and driveways
- Section 18.165.030: Landscape plan and irrigation plans
- Section 18.165.080: Maintenance of landscape areas
- Section 18.170: Water Efficient Landscaping