Zoning Regulations for Schools in Concord
Schools are permitted in specific zoning districts within the City of Concord, primarily through the approval of a Use Permit. Most zoning districts explicitly prohibit schools, while the Public/Quasi-Public (PQP) District and specific Community Land Districts allow them with appropriate discretionary review by the City of Concord.
Permitted Zoning Districts for Schools
Under the Concord Development Code, "Elementary, Middle, Secondary" schools and "College, University" institutions are categorized under the "Schools" classification [Section 18.20.020]. The following table summarizes the permit requirements for schools in eligible districts:
| Zoning District | Permit Required |
|---|---|
| Public/Quasi-Public (PQP) | Use Permit (UP) [Section 18.55.020] |
| Community Land Districts (OS, PR, RLC, WRC, CRP-GF) | Not Allowed [Section 18.60.020] |
| Residential Districts (RR, RS, RL, RM, RH) | Use Permit (UP) [Section 18.30.020] |
| Office/Commercial Districts (CO, CMX, NC, RC, SC) | Not Allowed [Section 18.40.020] |
| Downtown Districts (DP, DMX, WMX) | Not Allowed [Section 18.45.020] |
| Business Park/Industrial (OBP, IBP, IMX, HI) | Not Allowed [Section 18.50.020] |
Note: For the North Todos Santos (NTS) District, schools are not listed as an allowed use [Section 18.35.020].
General Development and Operational Standards
When a school is proposed in a district where a Use Permit is required, the project must comply with the City of Concord development standards and be consistent with the General Plan.
Parking Requirements for Schools
The City of Concord requires specific off-street parking based on the type of school facility as follows:
| School Type | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Elementary and Middle Schools | 1 space per classroom; plus 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of office area |
| High Schools | 1 space per classroom; plus 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of office area; plus 1 space per 5 students |
| Colleges and Universities | 1 space per 3 persons of the total school population (students, faculty, and staff) |
Additional Operational Standards
- Performance Standards: All activities at a school facility must comply with general performance standards regarding noise, dust, vibration, and air pollution, ensuring they are not detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the surrounding Concord community [Section 18.150.130].
- Traffic and Access: School facilities must be designed to promote safety, particularly regarding drop-off areas. The review authority will evaluate whether drop-off facilities avoid interference with traffic [Section 18.200.050].
- Outdoor Play Areas: For facilities involving child day care or nursery schools, outdoor play areas must be enclosed by a natural barrier, wall, or solid fence at least six feet in height [Section 18.200.050].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.20.020 (Use classifications)
- Section 18.30.020 (Residential districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.35.020 (North Todos Santos district – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- 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 18.60.020 (Community land districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.150.130 (Performance standards)
- Section 18.160.040 (Parking requirements)
- Section 18.200.050 (Child day care facilities)