Walnut

A low-density residential city known for its schools and open space.

Snapshot

Population

27,611

US Census ACS, 2024 / FBI UCR Table 8, 2024

Median home price

$1,269,160

Redfin, 2026-08

Median rent

$3,202/mo

US Census ACS, 2024

Crime / 1k

20.2

FBI UCR Table 8, 2024

Median sale price, year over year: +9.4% (rising)Redfin, 2026-08
5-year crime trend: +27.1% (rising)FBI UCR, 2019→2024

Market

Price / sq ft

$626

Redfin, 2026-08

Months of supply

5.6

Redfin, 2026-08

Median days on market

28

Redfin, 2026-08

Renter-occupied

16.2%

US Census ACS, 2024

Median household income

$129,449

US Census ACS, 2024

Housing units

9,230

US Census ACS, 2024

Developments

What you can build here — ADU

City departmentVHFHSZ

Typical SFR: 1 ADU + 1 JADU. Size up to 1,000 SQFT (min 800-850 protected). Height 16-18 ft. State fee exemptions apply. 60-day ministerial clock.

§6.08.210. Last verified 2026-08-18. Not legal advice — confirm current requirements with Walnut's planning department. See the statewide ADU floor every city sits on top of.

What you can build here — zoning standards

Zone(s)DensityHeightSetbacks F / S / RLot coverage
Single-familyR-1 (7,200 sf min; suffix = required sf)1 du/lot, 7,200 sf min (~6 du/ac)2 stories / 35 ft20' (25' to street-facing garage; 30' if 4,500+ sf house) / 5' + 12' (15'/10' if 4,500+ sf) / 15'40%
DuplexR-2 (8,000 sf min lot)4,000 sf/du (~10.9 du/ac)2 stories / 35 ft (per R-1-10,000)20' / 5' (10' corner) / 20'50%
TownhomeR-4 Medium-High (form-based code)32.0–36.0 du/ac3 stories / 45 ft0' / 5' / 10' — but 20' on all sides where adjacent to existing residential75%
MultifamilyR-3 Multiple Family; R-5 High (form-based)R-3 3,000 sf/du (~14.5 du/ac); R-5 36.1–40.0 du/acR-3 2 stories / 35 ft; R-5 4 stories / 60 ftR-3 20' / 5' (10' corner) / 20'; R-5 0' / 5' / 10'R-3 60%; R-5 80%

Parking · SFR by bedroom count *and* floor area, more restrictive prevails — 2 enclosed spaces (1–4 bd, <3,000 sf), 3 (5 bd or 3,001–4,500 sf), 4 (6–7 bd or 4,501–6,000 sf). Apartments 2.5 spaces/du in a garage. R-4/R-5 1 space/unit regardless of bedroom count + 1 guest space per 8 units. Landscaping: R-4 20% improved coverage, R-5 10%.

Overlays to check · SB 9 lot-split eligible · Density Bonus Law applicable (Ch 6.100) · Mixed Use/Housing Opportunity Overlay (Ch 6.20) · RPD Residential Planned Development (Ch 6.24) · R-1 Rural Overlay (Ch 6.16) · overcrowded school attendance areas (Ch 6.108)

Base zoning — always check for a project-specific overlay or density-bonus increase. Not legal advice. Walnut Municipal Code Title 6 — Ch 6.12 (R-1) § 6.12.050, Ch 6.28 (R-2), Ch 6.32 (R-3), Ch 6.34 (R-4) § 6.34.040, Ch 6.35 (R-5) § 6.35.040, Ch 6.68 (off-street parking). Code current through 2026-03-25. Last verified 2026-09-10. Full zoning code

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