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10-1.201 Definitions.

Walnut Creek Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Walnut Creek

Block. The area of land within a subdivision which area is entirely bounded by streets, highways or ways, except alleys, or the exterior boundary or boundaries of the subdivision.

Common Interest Development (Condominium). An estate in real property consisting of an undivided interest in common in a portion of a parcel of real property together with a separate interest in space in a residential, industrial or commercial building on the real property, such as an apartment, office or store. A condominium may include, in addition, a separate interest in other portions of the real property.

Conversion. The creation of separate ownership of existing real property together with a separate interest in space of residential, industrial or commercial buildings.

Design means:

  1. Street alignments, grades and widths;

  2. Drainage and sanitary facilities and utilities, including alignments and grades;

  3. Location and size of all required easements and rights-of-way;

  4. Fire roads and firebreaks;

  5. Lot size and configuration;

  6. Traffic access;

  7. Grading;

  8. Land to be dedicated for park or recreational purposes: and

  9. Other specific requirements in the plan and configuration of the entire subdivision as may be necessary to ensure consistency with, or implementation of, the General Plan or any applicable specific plan.

Development. The uses to which the land which is the subject of a map shall be put, the buildings to be constructed on it, and all alterations of and construction on the land.

Environmental Impact Report (EIR). A detailed statement under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) describing and analyzing the significant environmental effects of a project and discussing ways to mitigate or avoid the effects. The contents of the EIR are described in Article 9 Section 15120 of the State CEQA Guidelines and the City's CEQA Guidelines.

Final Map. A map showing a subdivision for which a tentative and final map are required by the Subdivision Map Act or this chapter, prepared in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the Subdivision Map Act designed to be recorded in the office of the County Recorder.

General Plan. The General Plan of the City as adopted in 2006, and any amendments or revisions. (§3, Ord. 2070, eff. 6/20/2008)

Improvement. Any streets, storm drainage facilities, utilities and landscaping to be installed, or agreed to be installed, by the subdivider on the land to be used for public or private streets, highways and easements, as are necessary for the general use of the lot owners in the subdivision and local neighborhood traffic and drainage needs as a condition precedent to the approval and acceptance of the final map. Any other specific improvements or type of improvements, the installation of which, either by, or by a combination of, the subdivider, public agencies, public and private utilities, or any other entity approved by the City, is necessary to ensure consistency with, or implementation of, the General Plan or any applicable specific plan.

ion precedent to the approval and acceptance of the final map. Any other specific improvements or type of improvements, the installation of which, either by, or by a combination of, the subdivider, public agencies, public and private utilities, or any other entity approved by the City, is necessary to ensure consistency with, or implementation of, the General Plan or any applicable specific plan.

Improvements shall be constructed in accordance with the City of Walnut Creek Street Standards, Standard Specifications and Plans and/or, when applicable, with standards as adopted by local utility companies and approved by the City Engineer.

Lot. A parcel or portion of land separated from other parcels or portions by description, as on a subdivision, parcel, or record of survey map or by metes and bounds, for purpose of sale, lease or separate use.

Lot Line Adjustment. A shift or rotation of an existing lot line or other adjustments where a greater number of parcels than originally existed is not created, as approved by the City Engineer or authorized representative.

Merger. The joining of two or more contiguous parcels of land under one ownership into one parcel.

Minor Subdivision. A subdivision of four or fewer parcels.

Parcel Map. A map showing a division of land of four or fewer parcels as required by this ordinance, prepared in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the Subdivision Map Act.

Peripheral Street. An existing street whose right-of-way is contiguous to the exterior boundary of the subdivision.

Remainder. That portion of an existing parcel which is not included as part of the subdivided land. The remainder is not considered as part of the subdivision but must be shown on the required maps as part of the area surrounding subdivision development.

Subdivider. A person, firm, corporation, partnership or association who proposes to divide, divides or causes to be divided real property into a subdivision for himself, herself or for others. Employees and consultants of such persons or entities, acting in that capacity, are not "subdividers."

Subdivision. The division, by any subdivider, of any unit or units of improved or unimproved contiguous land shown on the latest equalized County assessment roll as a unit or as contiguous units for the purpose of sale, lease or financing, whether immediate or future. Property shall be considered as contiguous units, even if it is separated by roads, streets, utility easements or railroad rights of way. "Subdivision" includes a condominium project, as defined herein or in §1350 of the Civil Code, or a community apartment project, as defined in Section 11004 of the Business and Professions Code, or the conversion of existing dwelling units to a stock cooperative, as defined in Section 11003.2 of the Business and Professions Code. "Subdivision" includes any division of land by gift or inheritance (probate). Any conveyance of land to a governmental agency, public entity, public utility or subsidiary of a public utility for conveyance to that public utility for rights-of-way shall not be considered a division of land for purposes of computing the number of parcels.

ned in Section 11003.2 of the Business and Professions Code. "Subdivision" includes any division of land by gift or inheritance (probate). Any conveyance of land to a governmental agency, public entity, public utility or subsidiary of a public utility for conveyance to that public utility for rights-of-way shall not be considered a division of land for purposes of computing the number of parcels.

Subdivision Map Act (SMA). State of California Government Code Section 66410 to 66499.

Tentative Map. A map made for the purpose of showing the design and improvements of a proposed subdivision and the existing conditions in and around it. The term "tentative map" includes a vesting tentative map.

Vesting Tentative Map. A map which meets the requirements of a tentative map and Article 12, and has the words "Vesting Tentative Map" printed on it. The vesting tentative map conveys development rights for subdivisions according to Article 12.

Zoning Ordinance. Title 10, Chapter 2 of the City of Walnut Creek Municipal Code, or any ordinance enacted under zoning law.

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▸ Contents — Walnut Creek Zoning Code
Walnut Creek Zoning Code
  1. 10-1.101 Citation and Authority.
  2. 10-1.102 Purpose.
  3. 10-1.103 Conformity to General Plan, Specific Plans and Zoning…
  4. 10-1.104 Application.
  5. 10-1.105 Modification of Requirements.
  6. 10-1.201 Definitions.
  7. 10-1.202 Responsibilities.
  8. 10-1.301 General.
  9. 10-1.302 Division of Land—Five or More Parcels.
  10. 10-1.303 Division of Land—Four or Fewer Parcels. (Minor Subdiv…
  11. 10-1.304 Plat Maps.
  12. 10-1.305 Fees and Deposits.
  13. 10-1.402 Tentative Maps.
  14. 10-1.403 Final Maps.
  15. 10-1.501 Tentative Parcel Map.
  16. 10-1.502 Parcel Maps.
  17. 10-1.503 Waiver of Parcel Map Requirements.
  18. 10-1.601 Dedication of Streets, Alleys and Other Public Rights…
  19. 10-1.602 Park Land Dedication.
  20. 10-1.603 School Site Dedication.
  21. 10-1.604 Reservations.
  22. 10-1.605 Claims of Excessive Dedications.
  23. 10-1.701 Purpose.
  24. 10-1.702 Requirements and Procedures.
  25. 10-1.703 Physical Standards for Condominium Conversions.
  26. 10-1.704 Tenant Provisions.
  27. 10-1.705 Effect of Proposed Conversion on the City's Low- and …
  28. 10-1.706 Findings.
  29. 10-1.801 General.
  30. 10-1.802 Improvements Required.
  31. 10-1.803 Deferred Improvement Agreements.
  32. 10-1.804 Design.
  33. 10-1.805 Access.
  34. 10-1.806 Improvement Plans.
  35. 10-1.807 Improvement Agreement.
  36. 10-1.808 Improvement Security.
  37. 10-1.809 Construction.
  38. 10-1.810 Construction Inspection.
  39. 10-1.811 Completion of Improvements.
  40. 10-1.812 Acceptance of Improvements.
  41. 10-1.813 Supplemental Improvement Capacity.
  42. 10-1.901 General.
  43. 10-1.902 Initiation of Proceedings.
  44. 10-1.903 Contents of Petition.
  45. 10-1.904 Submittal of Petition to City Engineer.
  46. 10-1.905 City Council Approval.
  47. 10-1.906 Filing with County Recorder.
  48. 10-1.1001 Mergers not Required.
  49. 10-1.1002 Mergers Required.
  50. 10-1.1003 Notice of Intention to Determine Status.
  51. 10-1.1004 Hearing on Determination of Status.
  52. 10-1.1005 Determination of Merger.
  53. 10-1.1006 Determination When No Hearing is Requested.
  54. 10-1.1007 Request to Merge by Property Owner.
  55. 10-1.1008 Unmerged Parcels.
  56. 10-1.1009 Request for Determination by Owner.
  57. 10-1.1010 Fee for Mergers and Unmergers.
  58. 10-1.1101 Requirements.
  59. 10-1.1102 Form and Contents.
  60. 10-1.1103 Submittal and Approval by the City Engineer.
  61. 10-1.1104 Filing with the County Recorder.
  62. 10-1.1105 Fee.
  63. 10-1.1201 Citation and Authority.
  64. 10-1.1202 Purpose and Intent.
  65. 10-1.1203 Consistency.
  66. 10-1.1204 Definitions.
  67. 10-1.1205 Application.
  68. 10-1.1206 Filing and Processing.
  69. 10-1.1207 Expiration.
  70. 10-1.1208 Vesting on Approval of Vesting Tentative Map.
  71. 10-1.1209 Development Inconsistent with Zoning—Conditional App…
  72. 10-1.1210 Applications Inconsistent with Current Policies.
  73. 10-1.1211 Failure to Obtain Design Review Approval.
  74. 10-1.1301 Prohibition.
  75. 10-1.1302 Remedies.
  76. 10-1.1303 Certificate of Compliance.
  77. 10-1.1304 Notice of Violation.
  78. 10-1.1305 Penalties.
  79. 10-1.1306 Judicial Action.
  80. 10-1.1401 Purpose.
  81. 10-1.1402 Applicability—Ministerial Approval.
  82. 10-1.1403 Exceptions.
  83. 10-1.1404 Definitions.
  84. 10-1.1405 Urban Lot Split Requirements.
  85. Chapter 2
  86. Part I — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  87. Part II — BASE DISTRICT REGULATIONS
  88. Part III — REGULATIONS APPLYING IN ALL OR SEVERAL DISTRICTS Re…
  89. Part IV — ADMINISTRATION

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