Zoning Districts Permitting Restaurants in Concord
Restaurants are permitted in most Office/Commercial, Downtown, and Public/Quasi-Public districts, though specific permit requirements—such as a Zoning Clearance (ZC), Administrative Permit (AP), or Use Permit (UP)—vary by district and restaurant type. Residential districts generally do not permit restaurants, with the notable exception of specific allowances for bed and breakfast inns and meeting facilities that may include related dining services.
Restaurant Use Permissions by District
The Concord Development Code classifies restaurants into several categories, including "Full Service," "Limited Service," and those with "Drive-through" or "Live entertainment." Permit requirements for these uses are summarized in the tables within the referenced chapters.
Office and Commercial Districts
The following permits are required for restaurants in the Office and Commercial districts defined in [Section 18.40.020]:
| Use Category | CO | CMX | NC | SC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant, Full Service | – | AP | AP | UP | ZC |
| Restaurant, Limited Service | – | ZC | ZC | AP | ZC |
| Restaurant, with Drive-Through | – | – | UP | UP | UP |
| Restaurant, with Live Entertainment | – | – | UP | UP | UP |
Note: "–" indicates the use is not allowed.
Downtown Districts
In the Downtown districts defined by [Section 18.45.020], restaurants are generally encouraged to support pedestrian activity:
| Use Category | DP | DMX | WMX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant, Full Service | ZC | ZC | ZC |
| Restaurant, Limited Service | ZC | ZC | ZC |
| Restaurant, with Drive-Through | – | – | UP |
| Restaurant, with Live Entertainment | AP | AP | UP |
Business Park, Industrial, and Public Districts
Restaurants in Business Park and Industrial districts are typically limited to ancillary roles serving employees, as established in [Section 18.50.020]:
| Use Category | OBP | IBP | IMX | HI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant, Full Service | AP | AP | AP | – |
| Restaurant, Limited Service | ZC | ZC | ZC | – |
| Restaurant, with Drive-Through | – | – | – | – |
| Restaurant, with Live Entertainment | – | – | – | – |
In the Public/Quasi-Public (PQP) district, restaurants are generally not permitted as a primary use, though they may be allowed as an accessory use within larger facilities such as hospitals [Section 18.55.020].
General Requirements for Eating Establishments
All restaurants and outdoor eating areas must comply with the general operational standards set forth in [Section 18.200.190]. These include:
- Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Adherence to all county health requirements regarding food preparation.
- Hours of operation must match the associated establishment's hours.
- Outdoor dining areas must be kept clean, safe, and cleared of equipment during non-operating hours.
Sections Cited
- [Section 18.40.020]: Office and Commercial Districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements.
- [Section 18.45.020]: Downtown districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements.
- [Section 18.50.020]: Business park and industrial districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements.
- [Section 18.55.020]: Public/quasi-public district – Allowed uses and permit requirements.
- [Section 18.200.190]: Sidewalk cafes and outdoor eating areas.