Chapter 05 Neighborhood Standards ▪ 63
v. Window glazing shall be used between cross
beam overhang and entry door.
vi. Building elevations facing the street shall
include at least twenty (20) percent of wall
face as windows.
vii. Entries shall be highlighted with a door in an
accent color.
viii. Garage doors shall reflect the mid-century
style with wood, composite wood, or other
faux wood material to match the horizontal
panels for the residence(s).
ix. Floor to ceiling vertical windows on the front
building wall.
x. At least two (2) of the following details shall
be incorporated into the design including:
• Horizontal fencing
• Mid-century design accent lighting
• A recessed entry of at least ten (10) feet
• Clerestory windows
Figure 92: Homes in Eichler neighborhood Figure 93: Homes in Eichler neighborhood Figure 94: Homes in Eichler neighborhood Figure 95: Homes in Eichler neighborhood
64 ▪ Concord Objective Design Standards
c. Canterbury Village neighborhood is located
immediately south of Clayton Road at Cape
Cod Way and provides a neighborhood of
architecture loosely designed as Cape Cod style
architecture. Projects within this neighborhood
shall incorporate the following design standards:
i. Wall length greater than thirty (30) feet shall
be interrupted by projections, indentations,
or changes of direction in wall plane.
ii. Homes shall be one to one-and-a half stories
with horizontal lap siding and/or cedar shake
siding. Stucco shall not be allowed on front
exterior building wall.
iii. Garage doors shall reflect Cape Cod style
with recessed panels.
iv. Design shall have a generally symmetrical
appearance (excluding garage).
v. At least five (5) of the following details shall
be incorporated into the design including
the following:
• Covered porch space of a minimum four
(4) feet by ten (10) feet
• Gabled dormer windows with window
trim and separate window shutters
• Entry portico
• Single-hung windows with grids with
window trim
• Chimney
• White picket fencing with entry gate
• Front entry door with window, painted
an accent color.
Figure 96: Canterbury Village neighborhood
Chapter 05 Neighborhood Standards ▪ 65
Figure 97: Housing typology in Canterbury Village
neighborhood
Figure 98: Housing typology in Canterbury Village
neighborhood
9. Government Code Sections 65852.21
and 66411.7 (SB 9)
Projects submitted pursuant to Government Code
Section 65852.21 or 66411.7 include urban lot splits
and second homes. The goal of the objective design
standards is to gain consistency and compatibility
with the appearance of an existing primary home, as
reflected in the Neighborhoods section above. Such
units shall incorporate the following standards:
a. See other Neighborhood standards in A(1) Site
Plan, A(2) Parking and the B(1) Massing and
Articulation sections.
b. Avoid direct line of sight to existing neighboring
units by staggering window and door placement
for a dwelling unit that is constructed on the lot
after the urban lot split or a new additional
primary unit constructed under Government
Code, Sections 65852.21(b); 66411.7(c) (SB 9)
c. Exterior stairwells shall not be oriented to the
street or visible from the public right-of-way.
d. The Citywide standards (pages 14-15) for
additional details that shall apply for colors and
materials.
e. Colors and materials for any additional unit on a
lot shall be consistent with the existing primary
home or color and materials palette for the
proposed primary dwelling unit, using at least
two of the following three approaches:
i. A minimum of one (1) matching exterior
color from the color palette of the primary
home
ii. A minimum of two (2) matching exterior
materials from the material palette of the
primary homes
iii. A matching roof slope to that of the
dominant roof pitch or form from the
primary home
f. For urban lot splits and two-unit projects,
roadway maintenance agreements shall be
submitted to the Engineering Division for access
roadways.
g. All lots created pursuant Government Code
Section 66411.7 shall have access to, provide
access to, or adjoin, a public right-of-way.
66 ▪ Concord Objective Design Standards
C. Landscape Design
1. Treatment of Setbacks
a. Where transitional setbacks are required by CDC
Section 18.150.180, tree planting shall be at a
minimum density of one (1) tree a maximum of
every thirty (30) feet to provide a second layer of
screening and shrub planting.
b. The front and exterior side yards shall be
landscaped and if needed, screening of the
parking area to make an appropriate transition
from the street-edge. (Figure 99)
Figure 99: Landscaped front and exterior side yards
Figure 100: Landscaped front yards
2. Types of Plant Materials
a. The size of planters next to carports shall be
determined by the allowable carport length as
specified by the CDC Landscape Ordinance and
Building Code and required on the checklist for
landscape plans. If carports are not required,
then the size of the planters shall be a minimum
of four (4) feet wide.
b. Landscape planters or vine pockets of a minimum
of two (2) feet by two (2) feet shall be provided
where multi-car garages on tuck-under parking
spaces abut pavement (driveways or parking
aisles). (Figure 100)
Chapter 05 Neighborhood Standards ▪ 67
D. Detailing
1. Loading, Service, and Refuse Areas
The Citywide standards in Chapter 2 shall apply.
2. Emergency Access, Addresses, and
Mailboxes
The Citywide standards in Chapter 2 shall apply.
3. Utility and Mechanical Equipment
The Citywide standards in Chapter 2 shall apply.
4. Lighting
The Citywide standards in Chapter 2 shall apply.
5. Fencing
a. The Citywide standards in Chapter 2 (Table 1):
Figure 101: Fencing and change in plane and material
Building, Roofing and Fencing Materials) shall
apply.
b. Walls or fences sixty (60) feet or longer, including lots that back-up to Corridors, shall incorporate
at least two (2) of the following: (Figure 101)
i. A minimum change in plane of one (1) foot
every thirty (30) feet
ii. A minimum change of one half (0.5) foot in
height
iii. A change to a material or change in material
texture consistent with the building material
palette every thirty (30) feet
iv. A change to a color consistent with the
building material palette every thirty (30)
feet or change in residential unit.
Concord Objective Design Standards ▪ 69
06 Special Case Standards (Infill
with Sensitive Transitions, and
Emergency Shelters)
A. Site Plan ........................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 B. Architectural/Building Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 71 C. Landscape Design ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 72 D. Emergency Shelters, SROs, and Group Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 72 E. Detailing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .73
70 ▪ Concord Objective Design Standards
06. Special Case
Standards (Infill with
Sensitive Transitions, &
Emergency Shelters)
Special Case (Infill) standards include those infill
sites, primarily within single-family zoned districts,
requiring sensitive transitions from the proposed
project site when the site includes:
i. Transition to adjacent lower density zoning
districts or neighborhoods, or
ii. Transition to adjacent non-residential land
use (i.e., adjacent to commercial uses),
and/or
iii. Emergency shelters for the homeless, single
room occupancies, and group housing
General standards for this section include site
planning and orientation, architectural and building
design, landscape design, and building detailing.
A. Site Plan
1. Neighborhood Context
a. Buildings shall minimize their bulk and include
detail to reflect the neighborhood context in
which they are located using one of the following
approaches:
i. Use the same roof pitch as used by at least
thirty (30) percent of the directly adjacent
residential structures. (Figure 102)
ii. On building walls, use the same bay widths
as those used on two (2) on adjacent
buildings.
2. Site Planning and Orientation
a. Front entry shall be highlighted with a small
porch, portico, stoop, or architectural awning
assembly a minimum of twelve (12) square feet.
Residential entry door shall be included with
recessed panels and/or window. (Figure 103)
3. Parking
a. The Neighborhood standards in Chapter 5 for
both vehicular and bicycle parking standards
shall apply.
Figure 102: Roof pitch similar to adjoining residential structure
Figure 103: Front entry highlighted with stoop
Chapter 06 Special Case Standards ▪ 71
Figure 104: Building walls with adequate window detail
Figure 105: Exterior building walls with minimum two colors including trim
B. Architectural/Building Design
1. Massing and Articulation
a. Articulation depth of at least twenty-four (24)
inches on a wall plane width of more than forty
(40) feet shall be provided.
b. Any floor above the first floor shall be limited
to eighty (80) percent of the footprint of the
first floor and shall be stepped back at least
an additional four (4) feet from the required
setback.
c. All building walls shall include building detail
using a minimum of one (1) of the following
approaches:
i. Window detail, of either or all, shutters,
trim, sills, mullions, lintels (Figure 104)
ii. Ornamentation, of either or all corbels,
cornices, moldings
d. The Citywide standards in Chapter 2 for
Transitional standards to abutting properties shall
apply.
2. Roof Treatment
a. See Chapter 5, Neighborhood standards, Section
B(2) for Roof Treatment standard.
3. Windows and Doors
a. A direct line of sight into any neighboring units
shall be avoided by staggering window and door
placement.
b. The Citywide standards in Chapter 2, Section B(3)
for windows shall also apply.
4. Color
a. On all exterior building walls, buildings shall
utilize a minimum of two (2) colors,
including trim. Changes in color due to a
change in building material are not
considered an additional color (Figure 105).
72 ▪ Concord Objective Design Standards
C. Landscape Design
a. For any new primary dwelling units,
evergreen landscape screening shall be
planted a maximum of six (6) feet in height
and maintained between the project and
adjacent lots.
D. Emergency Shelters, SROs,
and Group Homes
1. Outdoor Gathering Areas
Emergency Shelters and Single Room Occupancies
(SRO) often require additional outdoor spaces due
to the number of people living onsite and the nature
of the small rooms or units within the building.
Figure 106: Landscape outdoor screening along 10’ side
setbacks
Figure 107: Common outdoor gathering space at group housing with benches, tables, and chairs a. For emergency shelters, SROs, and group homes,
outdoor gathering areas shall include the
following:
i. A maximum slope of ten (10) percent
ii. Be located within one hundred (100) feet of
eighty (80) percent of the units
iii. Have a minimum area of eight hundred (800)
square feet with a minimum dimension of
twenty (20) feet in length or depth
iv. Screen outdoor patio fronting a public ROW ,
with decorative fencing of at least three (3)
feet in height.
v. Provide a minimum of at least a ten (10) foot
landscaped setback from front, side, and
rear property lines between the fencing and
the public right of way and or side or rear
property lines. (Figure 106)
b. For emergency shelters, SROs, and group homes,
outdoor gathering spaces shall include two (2)
of the following amenities to accommodate
a minimum of fifty (50) percent of maximum
residents for the site: (Figure 107)
i. Benches
ii. Tables and chairs
iii. Shade structure
c. Kennels shall be prohibited in residential zoned
areas or on sites within three-hundred (300) feet
of a residential use.
Chapter 06 Special Case Standards ▪ 73
Figure 108: Ground mounted mechanical equipment screen
E. Detailing
1. Loading, Service, and Refuse Areas
a. Trash enclosures for garbage, recycling, and/
or storage shall not be located in the front
or streetside yards. For group homes, trash
containers shall be incorporated into garage
space and/or exterior cabinets, incorporated into
the residential design. (Figure 108)
b. See Neighborhood standards for additional
standards.
2. Utility and Mechanical Equipment
The Citywide standards in Chapter 2 shall apply.
3. Lighting
The Citywide standards in Chapter 2 shall apply.
4. Fencing and Retaining Walls
The Citywide standards in Chapter 2 (Table 1:
Building, Roofing and Fencing Materials) shall apply.
Concord Objective Design Standards ▪ 75
Appendix
A. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 B . Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 C . References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 D. Area Maps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 E. Image Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
76 ▪ Concord Objective Design Standards
A . Definitions
The terms used in the 2023 Objective Design
Standards shall have the following meanings:
Access, Primary. The entrance to a building that is
oriented toward the front lot line and abuts a public
street, a private street, or common parking area.
Active Open Space. Any open space that is used for
sports, exercise, or active play. It can include but is not limited to amenities such as playgrounds, exercise
equipment, and athletic fields.
Articulation. The breaking up of a flat and uniform
exterior building wall by using recessed wall areas,
indents, projections, changes in building materials,
and detailed projecting features such as stoops, bay
windows, awnings, canopies, and/or balconies.
Articulated Saddle Roof. A simple gable roof or a roof
form which follows a convex curve about one axis
and a concave curve about the other, each of which
is articulated with smaller breaks in plane or smaller
roof forms for articulation, such as a dormer .
Cantilever. A rigid structural element that extends
horizontally and is supported at only one end.
Typically, it extends from a flat vertical surface such as a wall, to which it must be firmly attached.
Corbel. A bracket or weight-carrying member, built
deeply into the wall so that the pressure on its
embedded portion counteracts any tendency to
overturn or fall outward.
Cornice . The decorated projection at the top of, or
generally the upper part of, the wall provided to
protect the wall face or to ornament and finish the
eaves. Any projecting element may also be crowned
by a cornice for the same purposes of protection of
surfaces, ornamentation and finishing of an eave.
Corridor . Arterial streets and higher volume corridors within the City (i.e. Clayton Road, Willow Pass Road,
Treat Boulevard, Monument Boulevard, and other
four- and six-lane arterial streets as shown on the
Figure. 66
Caliper. Measurement of the thickness of a tree trunk
describing the diameter measured at breast height of
54 inches (4.5 feet).
Concord Development Code. The Concord
Development Code (CDC) refers to Chapter 18 of the
Concord Municipal Code. The CDC implements the
policies of the Concord general plan by classifying
and regulating the uses of land and structures within
the city. The development code is adopted to protect
and promote the public health, safety, comfort,
convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of
residents and businesses in the city of Concord.
Downspout. A pipe that runs vertically along the side
of the home.
Earth Tone . A color that draws from a color palette
of browns, tans, warm grays, greens, oranges,
whites, and some reds, and some blues. The colors
in an earth tone scheme are muted and flat in an
emulation of the natural colors found in dirt, moss,
trees, and rocks. Earth tone means a color with a
lightness (light reflective) value of 25 to 60 that is
composed of a mixture of any shade of brown and
any shade of any other color or colors.
False Façade (Exterior Building Wall) or False Front.
An exterior building wall extending beyond and
especially above the true dimensions of a building to
give it a more imposing appearance.
Green Roof . A vegetated or living roof created as a ballasted (stabilized) roof consisting of a structural
roof support, waterproofing membrane, drainage
layer, filter membrane, growing medium (soil) and
vegetation overlying a traditional roof.
Green Walls. Vertical structures that have different
types of living plants or other greenery attached to
them, with the greenery planted in a growth medium
consisting of soil, stone, or water and as needed,
having an integrated irrigation system.
Greywater. Domestic wastewater produced from
the recycling of clothes washers, showers, bathtubs,
bathroom sinks and laundry tubs.
Historic Property. Any real property and/or
development on a real property that is included on
the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Resources, and/or the City of
Concord listing of designated historic sites and.
Hydrozones. Portion of landscaped area where plants
with similar water needs are grouped together .
Lot Line Frontage . means the portion of a lot or
parcel of land that borders a public or private street .
Street Frontage shall be measured along the common
lot line separating said lot or parcel of land from the public street, highway or parkway.
Lot Line Front . means the lot line that abuts a street
Appendix ▪ 77
or public right-of-way. For corner lots, the shortest
side fronting a public street is considered the front
lot line regardless of the orientation of the garage or primary entrance, or, if both frontages are the same
length, the front shall be determined by the street
address.
Massing. Massing is an architectural term which
refers to the perception of the general shape, form,
and size of a building.
Objective. Involving no personal subjective
judgement by a public committee, such as the Design
Review Board or Planning Commission and being
uniformly verifiable by reference to an external
and uniform benchmark or criterion available and
knowable by both the development applicant or
proponent and the public official.
Paseo. A privately owned public place or path
designed for walking.
Passive Open Space. An open space on publicly or
privately owned land that is publicly accessible and
has been designated for leisure usually consisting of
sitting and relaxing.
Primary Street. Public or private right-of-way whose
function is to carry vehicular traffic or provide
vehicular access abutting the front property line of a
residential or mixed-use site.
Qualifying Residential Project or Qualifying Project.
Qualifying projects include all new residential and
mixed-use development projects where state law
limits the City’s enforcement of design standards to
objective standards or where state law or the City
Code requires a ministerial approval process.
Residential Street. A public or private right-of-way
whose function is to carry vehicular traffic or provide vehicular access abutting residential or mixed-use
property.
Rooftop Garden. A garden on the roof of a building
for purposes of architectural enhancement,
recreational opportunity, community garden and/or
quiet enjoyment by residents.
Root Drip Irrigation Emitters. Devices that are
designed to be a direct conveyance of water and
nutrients, down to the root zone.
Secondary Street. Public or private right-of-way
whose function is to carry vehicular traffic or provide vehicular access abutting the corner side property
line of a residential or mixed-use site.
Setback. The required distance from the property line
to the allowed exterior building wall envelope.
Step-back. The required distance from the allowed
exterior building wall envelope per the setback to the
allowed building wall envelope per the step-back.
Swale. A long, gently sloping, landscaped depression
that collects and cleans stormwater .
Transitional Setbacks. Additional yard area established for lots abutting a single-family residential district as described in the CDC Section 18.150.280 Transitional
requirements.
Venetian Plaster. Venetian plaster is a wall and ceiling finish consisting of plaster mixed with marble dust,
applied with a spatula or trowel in thin, multiple
layers, which are then burnished to create a smooth
surface with the illusion of depth and texture.
Wall Plane. The plane of a building wall is a plane
that extends from the ground to the top of each wall
of a structure along a straight line; does not include
the roof area.
B . Abbreviations
The abbreviations shall have the following meaning
or titles:
CDC: Concord Development Code
CDFW: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
LID: Low Impact Development
USDFW: U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
BART: Bay Area Rapid Transit
CMX: Commercial Mixed-use
RM: Residential Medium Density
RH: Residential High Density
RL: Residential Low Density
RR: Rural Residential
PD: Planned Development
CO: Community Office
NC: Neighborhood Commercial
ODS: Objective Design Standards
SRO: Single-Room Occupancy hotels
78 ▪ Concord Objective Design Standards
C . References
McAlester, V., Matty, S. P ., Clicque, S., McAlester, A.
L. 1., Jarrett, L., & Rodriguez-Arnaiz, J. (2013). A field guide to American houses: the definitive guide to
identifying and understanding America’s domestic
architecture. Revised and expanded edition/second
edition. New York, Alfred A. Knopf.
Law Insider (2023) [A contract database and resource
center] Color sample clauses. https://www.lawinsider .
com/
D . Area Maps
Todos
Santos
Plaza
Bonifacio St
Pacheco StAdobe St
Concord Ave
Colfax St
East St
Mira Vi
sta Te
r
Ouimet Pl
Gran
tSt
California St
Galindo St
Central St
M
tDi
ablo
St
PortChica
go H
wy
Salvio St
Willow Pass Rd
Livery Ln
Harrison St
Clay Aly
Almond Ave
Bacon St
North Todos Santos Zoning District I
0 250 500125
Ft
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Legend
NTS Zoning Boundary
North Todos Santos Parcels
Other
1. North Todos Santos Zoning District
Todos
Santos
Plaza
Bonifacio St
Pacheco StAdobe St
Concord Ave
Colfax St
East St
Mira Vi
sta Te
r
Ouimet Pl
Gran
tSt
California St
Galindo St
Central St
M
t Di
abl
o
St
PortChica
go H
wy
Salvio St
Willow Pass Rd
Livery Ln
Harrison St
Clay Aly
Almond Ave
Bacon St
North Todos Santos Zoning District I
0 250 500125
Ft
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Legend
NTS Zoning Boundary
North Todos Santos Parcels
Other
Appendix ▪ 79
2. Downtown Specific Plan: Inner and Outer Core
A¿
Todos
Santos
Plaza
The Alameda
Willia
m
Way
Ellis St
De
troit Ave
Almond Ave
SanCarlosAve
Fry Way
Adelaide St
Pine St
OakmeadDr
Concord Blvd
Franquette A
ve
San
Mig
uel
Rd
Grove Way
Walnut Ave
Via De Mercados
Gatew
ay Blvd
Market St
Pacheco St
Adobe St
Concord Ave
Park St
Bonifacio St
Mira
Vis
taTe
r
Maria Ave
East St
Estates Ct
Coventry RdVerna Cir
Dennis Cir
Ouimet Pl
David Ct
Pamela Ct
Montebello C
t
Mount Ct
Verona Ct
Devon Ct
Lonee Ct
Oak St
Orchard Ave
Sunset
Ave
Crawford St
Consuelo Rd
Ascot Ct
Bisso Ln
Civic Ct
Cow
ell Rd
Fabian Way
Meadow
Ln
AlturaDr
Windsor
Pl
Gary
Dr
Marina Ct
Mt Diablo St
Carleton Dr
Esperanz
aDr
Po
rt Ch
icago Hwy
Mesa St
Wren Ave
Amado
rAve
Belmont R
d
Toyon Dr
DoverWay
Euclid Ave
Main Ave
Commerce Ave
Pa
rksideDr
Roslyn Dr
Vincente Rd
Blackfield Dr
Harrison St
Sutter
St
FirstS
t
CrossWay
Fremont St
San Jose Ave
Santa Clara Ave
Cord
ova Wa
y
Broa
dway St
Oakland Ave
Atlantic St
Prospect St
Clayton Rd
Pacific StExecutive
Ln
Marvell
e Ln
Grant St
Leonar
d Dr
Traynor Rd
Colfax St
SixthSt
FifthAve
Leland
W
ay
Alm
end
ra
Ct
Encima Dr
Salvio St
Willow Pass Rd
Third S
t
Livery Ln
Clay A
ly
Galaxy Wa
y
Oxford Pl
Deardorff Ln
Cambridge Pl
Fir StElm St
Date StCedar St
Arlington Rd
Beach St
Fifth St
Darle
neDr
Sinclair Ave
DavisAve
Bedford RdLexingto
nRd
StanfordSt
Kerman Dr
Wis ter
iaWay
Enc
l
ave Pl
Marilyn
W
ay
Waterworld
Pkwy
Todd Ave
Secon
d
St
Galaxy Ct
Gal
indo S
t
Bacon St
Wildewood Dr
California St
Ricardo D
r
Almar St
Ashbury
Dr
Waltham R
d
Lynn Ave
Hu
m
phrey
Dr
Monume
nt Blvd
Laguna St
Raven
wood Dr
Parkside Cir
Downtown Specific Plan: Inner and Outer Core I
0 500 1,000250
Feet
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Legend
Inner Core
Outer Core
Downtown Specific Plan
Downtown Parcels
Todos Santos Plaza
80 ▪ Concord Objective Design Standards
3. Eichler Neighborhoods
Farm
Bureau R
d
Denk
inger
Rd
Cowell
Rd
Chestnut Ave
TreatBl
vd
Babel Ln
Clayton Way
Clayton Rd
West St
Sale
m St
Wilson Ln
Wilson Ct
PlacerDr
Lan
cashi
reDr
Gainsborou
gh Dr
Nulty Dr
Sheridan Rd
Lilli
an Dr
We
sley Ct
Mendocino Dr
Sacramento St
Phoenix St
Merridan D
r
Barrington Dr
Eichler Neighborhoods I
0 500 1,000250
Feet
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Legend
Eichler Properties
Parcels
Appendix ▪ 81
4. Special Neighborhood Design Treatments
Treat Bl
vd
Cowell Rd
Turtle Creek Rd
Farm Burea
uRd
ThornwoodDr
Denkinger
Rd
Chestnut Ave
Clayton Rd
Babel Ln
West St
West St
Sale
m St
Wilson Ln
Santa Fe Ct
Houston Ct
Wilson Ct
PlacerDr
Lan
cash
ireDr
Gainsborou
gh Dr
Nulty Dr
Sheridan Rd
Lillian Dr
Babel Ln
We
sley
Ct
Chestnut Ave Mendocino Dr
Sacramento St
Phoenix St
Merridan D
r
Barrington D
r
Joan Ct
Essex Ct
Rosal
Ave
CanterburyDr
Cape Cod Way
Ham
let D
r
Clayton Rd
Cobblestone Dr
Joan Ave
Huckleberry Dr
Pickwick Dr
Cob
blesto
neDr
Sherwo
odDr
Sh
ake
spe
areDr
Kensing
ton Dr
Sherwood Ct
Winder
mereWay
Chaucer Dr
Special Neighborhood Design Treatments I
0 500 1,000250
Feet
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Legend
Eichler
Canterbury Village
82 ▪ Concord Objective Design Standards
E . Image Credits
Images within this document not listed in the image
credit list are property of City of Concord and MIG.
Introduction Cover Page
Visit Concord
https://www.visitconcordca.com/outdoors/
Chapter 2: Citywide Objective Design Standards
Cover Page
Renaissance Square,
https://hotpads.com/renaissance-square-concord-ca-
94520-1umnwjf/pad
Figure 4. Common Open Spaces
Metal Architecture, Keller Courts Commons,
https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/2019-
mca-chairmans-awards
Figure 7. Bicycle Locker
Translink,
https://buzzer.translink.ca/2021/06/how-to-use-
translinks-on-demand-bike-lockers/
Figure 8. Indoor Bicycle Room
CycleSafe, MultiFamily Bike Lockers,
https://cyclesafe.com/bike-parking-solutions/multi-
family-bike-parking-solutions/
Figure 12. Roof with Articulated Saddles
IKO Residential Roofing Shingles
https://www.iko.com/na/pro/building-professional-
tools/roofing-101/cricket-for-roof-chimney/
Figure 16. Architectural Detailing with Canopies,
Balconies, Color Change, and Material Change for
Downtown Buildings
Google Map, Park Central Apartment homes,
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.972926,-
122.0340745,3a,90y,31.06h,96.04t/
Figure 18. Multiple Colors on Downtown Buildings
that are Consistent with Color Palette
Renaissance Square,
https://hotpads.com/renaissance-square-concord-ca-
94520-1umnwjf/pad
Figure 25. Metal Art Element
Allard Square,
https://www.conantmetalandlight.com/
Figure 26. Venetian Plaster
Exterior Venetian Plaster,
https://www.houzz.com/photos/exterior-venetian-
plaster-mediterranean-exterior-miami-phvw-
vp~27888905
Figure 28. Ground Mounted Mechanical Equipment
Hayneedle,
https://www.hayneedle.com/tips-and-ideas/hiding-
outdoor-eyesores/
Chapter 3: Downtown Standards Cover Page
The Grant,
https://www.brown-construction.com/projects/
multifamily/item/147-the-grant
Chapter 4: Corridor Standards Cover Page
Google Map, Park Central Apartment homes,
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.971821,-
122.0328208,3a,88.9y,324.07h,94.73t/
Chapter 5: Neighborhood Standards Cover Page
Zillow,
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2820-Willow-
Pass-Rd-Concord-CA-94519/68038703_zpid/
Figure 78. Aerial View of Existing Neighborhood
Point2 Homes,
https://www.point2homes.com/US/Home-For-
Sale/CA/Concord/1219-Illinois-Ct/149762953.
html#lg=1&slide=46
Figure 79. Existing Housing Typology in
Neighborhood
Zillow,
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2805-Jefferson-
Ln-Concord-CA-94519/68040000_zpid/
Figure 93. Homes in Eichler Neighborhood
Concord Eichler Homes,
https://www.eichlerforsale.com/concord-eichlers/
Figure 94. Homes in Eichler Neighborhood
Visit Concord,
https://www.visitconcordca.com/things-to-do/visual-
arts/architecture/
Figure 95. Homes in Eichler Neighborhood
https://theglassbox.typepad.com/my-blog/2014/07/
concord-eichler-for-sale-peaceful-setting-loads-of-
potential.html
Figure 98. Housing Typology in Canterbury Village
Compass,
https://www.compass.com/listing/1301-windermere-
way-concord-ca-94521/1005844157803185369/
Chapter 6: Special Case Standards Cover Page
Google Map,
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9626481,-
121.9805046,3a,75y,169.18h,89.93t/
data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1squNE4JcioeO-9hX3xcOZyw!2e
0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
Appendix ▪ 83
Figure 106. Landscape Outdoor Screening along 10’
Side Setbacks
Unilock, https://unilock.com/design/how-to-make-
the-most-of-small-outdoor-living-spaces/
Figure 108. Ground Mounted Mechanical
Equipment Screen
American Fence Company,
https://theamericanfencecompany.com/louvered-
fence-systems/
Objective Design Standards
Two-Year Update
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM NO. 4.A
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
PRESENTED BY: FRANK ABEJO, PRINCIPAL PLANNER
2 ODS Overview
Design standards that apply to residential and mixed-use projects where state law limits the City’s enforcement of design standards to objective standards or where state law or City Code require a ministerial approval.
The ODS provides objective standards for site planning, building architecture, and landscaping, and standards specific to special neighborhoods and projects.
Objective Design Standard
A design standard that
involves no personal or
subjective judgment…and is
uniformly verifiable by
reference to an external
and uniform benchmark or
criterion.
Example: All building masses for residential buildings greater than forty (40) feet in length shall have a wall depth change of a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches.
Subjective Design Standard
A design standard that
involves personal or
subjective judgment…and
is not uniformly verifiable
by reference to an external
and uniform benchmark or
criterion.
Example: New developments should incorporate the use of strong vertical and/or horizontal reveals, off-sets, and three- dimensional detail between surface planes to create shadow lines and break up flat surface area.
5 ODS Overview
ODS applies to projects where state
law or City Code limit review to
objective standards or a ministerial
approval, such as:
• Mixed use projects with at least 2/3
residential
• Multi-family residential
• Emergency shelters, SROs, and
group shelters
• Single-family homes and duplexes
processed under SB 9
ODS does not apply to:
• Single-family homes (including
subdivisions)
• Accessory dwelling units
• Naval Weapons Station
6 Background
2017 – Present. Various state laws enacted to facilitate housing development such as requiring by-right/ministerial approval for projects that meet objective standards.
September 12, 2023. City Council adopted an ordinance adding Chapter
18.152 – Objective Design Standards to the Concord Development Code and created the Objective Design Standards (ODS).
➢ Council requested one- and two-year updates on implementation of the ODS
7 Background
September 10, 2024. Staff provided Council with a one-year update and identified the need to address objective standards for small lot developments.
➢ The Council established an ad hoc committee to develop ODS standards for this project type, with Mayor Obringer (Vice Mayor at the time of appointment) and Council member Hoffmeister appointed to serve on the committee until the Council’s adoption of the small lot standards.
8 Background
January 1, 2025. California Senate Bill (SB) 450 became effective. ➢ The City’s ODS standards for SB 9 projects do not apply to single- family dwellings, those standards are currently unenforceable. The City does not have objective design standards for single-family dwellings in the Community Design Guidelines or Development Code.
9 Discussion
Implementation
1) Create individual checklists; 2) Improve maps; 3) Create survey; and 4) train CDD staff.
➢ Checklists and maps to be completed by end of year;
survey and training to be completed by first quarter of 2026.
10 Discussion
Current Market
Key economic conditions affecting the housing market have not improved much.
11 Discussion
Streamlining, Successes and Challenges, Unintended
Consequence, and Case Studies
It remains difficult for staff to evaluate the effectiveness of the ODS due to shortage of projects subject to ODS. This is unlikely to change under current housing market conditions.
12 Discussion
Identified Gaps
Adding small lot development projects to the ODS remains a top priority. Additionally, the ODS does not address SB 450.
13 Feedback Requested
1. Continue applying the ODS to SB 9 projects by including standards for new single-family construction that would also apply to SB 9 projects;
OR
2. Do not to develop ODS standards for single-family homes.
Questions?
14
5.a
5.b
5.c