Aliso Viejo · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Aliso Viejo?
In Aliso Viejo, a church or other place of worship is needs a conditional use permit in 6 (CT, CC, PO, BP-1, BP-2 and 1 more) and not allowed in 3 (Aliso Viejo use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: CT, CC, PO, BP-1, BP-2 and CF
- Not allowed: CN, OR and OS
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a church or other place of worship can go
Aliso Viejo's code calls this use “Churches, temples, other places of worship”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| CT Town Center Commercial | Needs a conditional use permit The code attaches note 7 to this zone. This page does not show it; read the code. | § 15.18.020 |
| CC Community Commercial | Needs a conditional use permit The code attaches note 7 to this zone. This page does not show it; read the code. | § 15.18.020 |
| PO Professional Office | Needs a conditional use permit The code attaches note 7 to this zone. This page does not show it; read the code. | § 15.18.020 |
| BP-1 Business Park 1 | Needs a conditional use permit The code attaches note 7 to this zone. This page does not show it; read the code. | § 15.18.020 |
| BP-2 Business Park 2 | Needs a conditional use permit The code attaches note 7 to this zone. This page does not show it; read the code. | § 15.18.020 |
| CF Community Facilities | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.26.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- S3 row is named "Religious institutions". No size split.
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: PRD and Specific Plan districts (uses come from the base district or the specific plan, not in the packet).; Health facilities and outpatient medical uses overlay district.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Aliso Viejo
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the CT zone in Aliso Viejo?
Only with a conditional use permit. Aliso Viejo's use table lists it that way in CT (Town Center Commercial) (§ 15.18.020).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the CN zone in Aliso Viejo?
No. Aliso Viejo's use table does not allow it in CN (Neighborhood Commercial) (§ 15.18.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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