Benicia · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Benicia?
In Benicia, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 1 base zone (CC), needs an use permit in 12 (RS, RM, RH, HZ, CO and 7 more, 4 with a condition) and not allowed in 1 (Benicia use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: CC
- Needs a permit: RS, RM, RH, HZ, CO, CG, CW, IL and 4 more
- Not allowed: IW
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Benicia 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
Benicia's code calls this use “Religious Assembly”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CC | Allowed | § 17.28.020 |
| RS | Needs an use permit | § 17.24.020 |
| RM | Needs an use permit | § 17.24.020 |
| RH | Needs an use permit | § 17.24.020 |
| HZ | Needs an use permit | § 17.24.020 |
| CO | Needs an use permit | § 17.28.020 |
| CG | Needs an use permit | § 17.28.020 |
| CW | Needs an use permit | § 17.28.020 |
| IL | Needs an use permit — see note Note L-1: Evaluate a nonindustrial or noncommercial project against the following criteria when considering findings for use permits or variances: 1. Will the project create substantial conflicts with existing industrial and commercial traffic? 2. Will the project be subject to excessive glare, noise or vibration from adjacent industrial/commercial uses? (Refer to general plan for noise criteria) 3. Will the project be exposed to hazardous materials or risks that would create health and safety hazards for persons occupying or visiting the project? 4. Will the project be located on an arterial street, or located in an area which would bring nonindustrial traffic onto local streets? Note L-6: No day care facilities or schools shall be permitted as part of a religious assembly facility. | § 17.32.020 |
| IG | Needs an use permit — see note Note L-1: Evaluate a nonindustrial or noncommercial project against the following criteria when considering findings for use permits or variances: 1. Will the project create substantial conflicts with existing industrial and commercial traffic? 2. Will the project be subject to excessive glare, noise or vibration from adjacent industrial/commercial uses? (Refer to general plan for noise criteria) 3. Will the project be exposed to hazardous materials or risks that would create health and safety hazards for persons occupying or visiting the project? 4. Will the project be located on an arterial street, or located in an area which would bring nonindustrial traffic onto local streets? Note L-6: No day care facilities or schools shall be permitted as part of a religious assembly facility. | § 17.32.020 |
| IP | Needs an use permit — see note Note L-1: Evaluate a nonindustrial or noncommercial project against the following criteria when considering findings for use permits or variances: 1. Will the project create substantial conflicts with existing industrial and commercial traffic? 2. Will the project be subject to excessive glare, noise or vibration from adjacent industrial/commercial uses? (Refer to general plan for noise criteria) 3. Will the project be exposed to hazardous materials or risks that would create health and safety hazards for persons occupying or visiting the project? 4. Will the project be located on an arterial street, or located in an area which would bring nonindustrial traffic onto local streets? Note L-6: No day care facilities or schools shall be permitted as part of a religious assembly facility. | § 17.32.020 |
| OS Open Space | Needs an use permit — see note Note C: Not permitted on lands outside the urban growth boundary as delineated on the general plan land use diagram, amended by approval of Measure K by a vote of the people, November 4, 2003. | § 17.36.030 |
| PS Public and Semipublic | Needs an use permit | § 17.40.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
IW.
What else applies
- OS cell applies only inside the urban growth boundary (note C). In industrial zones no day care or school as part of the religious assembly (L-6).
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: PD (Planned Development) district has no use table (S6); Zone names for RS, RM, RH, HZ, CC, CO, CG, CW, IL, IG, IW, IP are not stated in the packet text; Housing Opportunity Sites overlay (S10) adds group residential, multifamily, supportive and transitional housing as P. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Benicia
Who this affects
HomeownersBuyersReal estate agentsSmall developers
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RS zone in Benicia?
Only with an use permit. Benicia's use table lists it that way in RS (§ 17.24.020).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the IW zone in Benicia?
No. Benicia's use table does not allow it in IW (§ 17.32.020).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the CC zone in Benicia?
Yes. Benicia's use table lists it as allowed in CC (§ 17.28.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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