Open Space and Landscaping Requirements for the Community Office (CO) District in Concord
The Community Office (CO) zoning district in Concord requires a minimum of 20 percent of a project site to be landscaped [Section 18.165.050]. Additionally, residential components within the Community Office district must provide 150 square feet of on-site open space per unit (or 125 square feet per unit if the project is located within 500 feet of a public park of one acre or larger) [Section 18.185.060].
Landscaping Requirements for the Community Office (CO) District
The Community Office (CO) district in Concord requires that a minimum of 20 percent of the total project site area be landscaped [Section 18.165.050]. Landscape plans for the Community Office (CO) district must be prepared by a California licensed landscape architect or other qualified professional and are subject to design and site review [Section 18.165.030].
Landscaping in the Community Office (CO) district is subject to the following general standards:
- Materials: Plant materials must be evenly distributed throughout the site using a combination of trees, shrubs, and ground cover [Section 18.165.060]. All trees must be a minimum size of 24-inch box, while shrubs must be a minimum size of five-gallon containers [Section 18.165.070].
- Irrigation: All landscaped areas in the Community Office (CO) district must include an automatic irrigation system designed to comply with the water-efficient landscaping requirements of the Concord Development Code [Section 18.165.030].
- Maintenance: Landscaping in the Community Office (CO) district must be maintained in a healthy and thriving condition in perpetuity [Section 18.165.080].
- Street Trees: Street trees must be planted at a minimum of 30-foot intervals along property frontages in the Community Office (CO) district [Section 18.165.070].
Open Space Requirements in the Community Office (CO) District
While the Community Office (CO) district primarily functions as an office zoning classification, it may allow residential uses under certain conditions. When residential uses are integrated, the following on-site open space standards apply for qualifying affordable and mixed-income housing developments:
| Requirement Type | Standard Requirement (CO) | Modified Requirement for Qualifying Affordable Housing (CO) | Modified Requirement (within 500 feet of a 1+ acre public park) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Space | 200 SF/unit (60 SF private) | 150 SF/unit (private and/or common) | 125 SF/unit (private and/or common) |
For non-affordable housing residential development in the Community Office (CO) district, the general open space standards apply as mandated by the broader city development code [Section 18.150.100].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.150.100: Open space and recreational facilities for residential development
- Section 18.165.030: Landscape plan and irrigation plans
- Section 18.165.050: Landscape requirements
- Section 18.165.060: Parking lot landscaping
- Section 18.165.070: Landscape standards
- Section 18.165.080: Maintenance of landscape areas
- Section 18.185.060: Affordable housing incentive program