Zoning Districts Allowing Multifamily Residential in Concord
Multifamily residential development is permitted in several zoning districts in Concord, including the Residential High Density (RH) district, the Residential Medium Density (RM) district, and various commercial and downtown districts subject to specific permit requirements. These developments must comply with district-specific density, height, and design standards, including requirements for open space and, where applicable, objective design standards.
Residential Zoning Districts
The Concord Development Code identifies specific residential districts that permit multifamily housing. The Residential Medium Density (RM) district allows for a variety of housing types, including apartments and townhomes, at densities of 11 to 33 units per net acre [Section 18.30.010]. The Residential High Density (RH) district is intended for compact, high-density development, including apartments and condominiums, at densities of 33 to 100 units per net acre [Section 18.30.010].
Commercial and Downtown Districts
Multifamily residential uses are permitted in several commercial and downtown districts, often as part of a mixed-use project.
| District | Land Use | Permit Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| CMX (Commercial Mixed-Use) | Multifamily | ZC (Zoning Clearance) |
| DP (Downtown Pedestrian) | Multifamily | ZC(4), MP, or UP |
| DMX (Downtown Mixed-Use) | Multifamily | ZC(8), UP |
Note: Permit requirements are subject to footnotes found in the corresponding land use tables of the Concord Development Code [Section 18.30.020, 18.40.020, 18.45.020].
Development Standards for Multifamily Residential
Multifamily projects must adhere to specific development standards to ensure compatibility and quality. These include requirements for private and common open space, parking, and compliance with objective design standards.
Open Space and Parking Requirements
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]. Additionally, multifamily projects must provide the following parking:
| Unit Type | Required Parking |
|---|---|
| Studio unit | 1 space |
| 1 bedroom unit | 1.5 spaces |
| 2–3 bedroom unit | 2 spaces |
| Guest parking | 1 space for each 3 units |
Every multifamily unit must have at least one dedicated covered space [Section 18.160.040].
Objective Design Standards
New multifamily residential projects are subject to Objective Design Standards [Section 18.152.010]. These standards are intended to streamline the review process while ensuring high-quality design. Projects that do not meet these objective design standards are subject to a discretionary design and site review process [Section 18.152.050].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.30.010 (Purpose - Residential Districts)
- Section 18.30.020 (Table - Residential districts - Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.40.020 (Table - Office and commercial districts - Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.45.020 (Table - Downtown districts - Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.150.100 (Open space and recreational facilities for residential development)
- Section 18.152.010 (Purpose and intent - Objective Design Standards)
- Section 18.152.050 (Review and decision procedure)
- Section 18.160.040 (Parking requirements)