Open Space and Landscaping Requirements for the RM District in Concord
In the RM (Medium Density Residential) district, residential developments must provide at least 200 square feet of private or common usable open space per dwelling unit. Additionally, multifamily and nonresidential developments must dedicate at least 45 to 50 percent of the site to landscaping, depending on building height, or comply with specific requirements for usable open areas.
Open Space Requirements in the RM District
The RM district requires that residential developments of three or more units provide private and common open space to serve the residents [Section 18.150.100].
- General Requirement: Developments with three or more dwelling units must provide at least 200 square feet of private and/or common open space per dwelling unit [Section 18.150.100].
- Private Open Space: Each unit must have a minimum of 60 square feet of private open space, such as a deck, balcony, porch, patio, or enclosed yard [Section 18.150.100].
- Common Open Space: Common open space must be centrally located, accessible to all units, and not exceed a 10 percent slope [Section 18.150.100].
Additional Open Space Provisions for Qualifying Affordable Housing
For qualifying affordable and mixed-income housing developments in the RM district, modified open space standards are available as follows:
| Zone | Base Open Space (SF/Unit) | Modified Open Space (SF/Unit) | Modified Open Space (Near Park) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RM | 200 SF (60 SF private) | 175 SF (60 SF private) | 150 SF (60 SF private) |
Note: The "Modified Open Space (Near Park)" applies to qualifying projects within 500 feet of a public park of one acre or larger [Section 18.185.060].
Landscaping Requirements in the RM District
Landscaping in the RM district is governed by general requirements to improve the attractiveness of the city and ensure compatibility between uses [Section 18.165.010].
- Applicability: New multi-unit residential projects in the RM district must provide landscaping in compliance with Chapter 18.165 [Section 18.165.020].
- General Standards: Landscaping must be evenly distributed throughout the site using a combination of trees, shrubs, and ground cover [Section 18.165.060].
- Turf Limitations: Turf is limited to 25 percent of the total landscaped area and is prohibited in planter areas less than eight feet wide or on slopes exceeding 15 percent [Section 18.165.070].
Landscape Area Requirements
The minimum area of an RM site to be landscaped is determined by the "Other Residential (duplexes, multifamily)" category:
| Land Use Type | Minimum Area of Landscaping Required |
|---|---|
| Other Residential (duplexes, multifamily) | All usable open areas not occupied by decks and patios or 20 percent, whichever is greater |
Sections Cited
- Section 18.150.100: Open space and recreational facilities for residential development
- Section 18.165.010: Purpose
- Section 18.165.020: Applicability
- Section 18.165.060: Parking lot landscaping
- Section 18.165.070: Landscape standards
- Section 18.185.060: Affordable housing incentive program