RLC: Rural Land Conservation District Setback Requirements in Concord
The RLC: Rural Land Conservation district is intended for hillside areas to ensure the protection of scenic value and rural character. Because the RLC district is categorized as a Community Land District, it does not have the same standardized dimensional setback table as the Residential (R) districts; instead, any proposed development in the RLC district must comply with the general development standards and site-specific conditions of approval as determined by the review authority.
Overview of the RLC District
The RLC: Rural Land Conservation district is applied to hillside areas located to the northeast and southeast of the city [Section 18.60.010]. As a designated Community Land District, the primary purpose of the RLC district is to ensure the protection of the scenic value and rural character of these hillside areas [Section 18.60.010].
Setback Standards in the RLC District
The RLC: Rural Land Conservation district does not have a specific table of numerical setback requirements like those found in the Residential (R) or Commercial districts. Instead, the RLC: Rural Land Conservation district is governed by the following provisions:
- Review Authority Determination: The regulations for specific development in the RLC: Rural Land Conservation district are established at the time of permit approval [Section 18.60.030].
- Abutting Districts: If the RLC: Rural Land Conservation district boundary is uncertain or if a permit is not required for a specific activity, the regulations of the abutting zoning district shall apply to each adjacent portion of the property, as applicable [Section 18.60.030].
- Performance Requirements: All development in the RLC: Rural Land Conservation district must comply with the general development standards found in Chapter 18.150 [Section 18.60.030].
General Hillside and Resource Protection Standards
Because the RLC: Rural Land Conservation district is focused on hillside protection, any development on hillside parcels within the RLC district is also subject to the following requirements:
- Hillside Protection: Development on RLC: Rural Land Conservation parcels with an average slope of 15 percent or greater must comply with Chapter 18.300 [Section 18.300.020].
- Creek and Riparian Protection: If a development in the RLC: Rural Land Conservation district is adjacent to or crossed by a watercourse, it must adhere to the creek and riparian habitat protection standards, including specific structure setbacks from the top of the bank [Section 18.305.020; Section 18.305.040].
Structure Setbacks for Unimproved Channels
Where development in the RLC: Rural Land Conservation district involves an unimproved channel, the following horizontal setbacks from the top of bank are required:
| Height of Top of Bank Above Channel Invert | Horizontal Distance Between Top of Bank and Setback |
|---|---|
| Less than 20 feet | 30 feet |
| 20 feet – 29.99 feet | 35 feet |
| 30 feet – 39.99 feet | 40 feet |
| 40 feet – 49.99 feet | 45 feet |
| 50 feet and greater | 50 feet |
Source: Table 18.305.040
Sections Cited
- Section 18.60.010: Purpose (Community Land Districts)
- Section 18.60.030: Community land districts – Development standards
- Section 18.300.020: Applicability (Hillside Protection)
- Section 18.305.020: Applicability (Creek and Riparian Habitat Protection)
- Section 18.305.040: Development standards (Creek and Riparian Habitat Protection)