Open Space and Landscaping Requirements in the RL: Low Density Residential District

In the Concord RL: Low Density Residential District, residential developments with three or more dwelling units must provide a minimum of 200 square feet of private and/or common open space per dwelling unit, with each unit maintaining at least 60 square feet of private open space. Additionally, all required front yards must be landscaped to improve site appearance and conserve water, as specified by the general and water-efficient landscaping standards.

Open Space Requirements for the RL District

The RL: Low Density Residential District requires that residential developments consisting of three or more new dwelling units provide adequate open space for residents. This requirement ensures that new development in Concord maintains the quality and livability of residential neighborhoods [Section 18.150.100].

General Open Space Standards

Developments in the RL: Low Density Residential District must adhere to the following open space metrics:

Requirement	Standard
Minimum Total Open Space	200 square feet per dwelling unit
Minimum Private Open Space	60 square feet per dwelling unit

Private open space in the RL: Low Density Residential District may include decks, balconies, porches, patios, and enclosed yards, provided they are accessible from the unit, serve only one unit, and meet minimum dimension requirements (10 feet for ground level, 6 feet for above-ground) [Section 18.150.100].

Common open space in the RL: Low Density Residential District may include parks, gardens, courtyards, and barbecue areas. These areas must meet specific standards, including a maximum slope of 10 percent, a minimum area of 500 square feet, and must be located at least 15 feet from any door or window of a dwelling unit [Section 18.150.100].

Landscaping Requirements for the RL District

Landscaping in the RL: Low Density Residential District is required to enhance the attractiveness of the city, manage water consumption, and prevent erosion.

Landscape Area Requirements

The minimum area of each site in the RL: Low Density Residential District that must be landscaped is as follows:

Land Use Type	Minimum Area of Landscaping Required
Single Dwelling	Front yard
Other Residential (Duplexes, Multifamily)	All usable open areas not occupied by decks/patios or 20 percent, whichever is greater

Landscape Standards

All landscaping in the RL: Low Density Residential District must comply with the following standards:

Water Efficiency: All landscaping and irrigation must comply with the Water Efficient Landscaping standards established in the Concord Development Code [Section 18.165.010, Section 18.165.070].
Planting Standards: Groundcover must provide 100 percent coverage within two years. Trees must be a minimum size of 24-inch box (unless specified otherwise for hillside areas), and shrubs must be a minimum of five-gallon containers [Section 18.165.070].
Turf Limitations: Turf is limited to a maximum of 25 percent of the total landscaped area on a site in the RL: Low Density Residential District [Section 18.165.070].
Maintenance: All landscaping in the RL: Low Density Residential District must be permanently maintained in a healthy condition, with irrigation systems functioning as designed [Section 18.165.080].

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