Berkeley · Land use · Community garden
Where is a community garden allowed in Berkeley?
In Berkeley, a community garden is needs a zoning certificate in 25 (R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-4 and 20 more, 18 with a condition) and not allowed in 1 (Berkeley use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-S, R-SMU and 17 more
- Not allowed: ES-R
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Berkeley 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 community garden can go
Berkeley's code calls this use “Urban Agriculture, Low-Impact”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| R-1 | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318 Urban Agriculture) | § 23.202.020 |
| R-2 | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318 Urban Agriculture) | § 23.202.020 |
| R-2A | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318 Urban Agriculture) | § 23.202.020 |
| R-3 | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318 Urban Agriculture) | § 23.202.020 |
| R-4 | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318 Urban Agriculture) | § 23.202.020 |
| R-5 | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318 Urban Agriculture) | § 23.202.020 |
| R-S | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318 Urban Agriculture) | § 23.202.020 |
| R-SMU Residential Southside Mixed Use District | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318 Urban Agriculture) | § 23.202.020 |
| R-BMU Residential BART Mixed Use District | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318 Urban Agriculture) Note **: Required permits for specific uses are set forth in the R-BMU Master Development Permit (MDP). See 23.202.150.A and 23.202.150.D | § 23.202.020 |
| C-C | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318) | § 23.204.020 |
| C-U | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318) | § 23.204.020 |
| C-N | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318) | § 23.204.020 |
| C-E | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318) | § 23.204.020 |
| C-NS | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318) | § 23.204.020 |
| C-SA | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318) | § 23.204.020 |
| C-T | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318) | § 23.204.020 |
| C-SO | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318) | § 23.204.020 |
| C-DMU | Needs a zoning certificate — see note Note *: * = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318) | § 23.204.020 |
| C-W | Needs a zoning certificate | § 23.204.020 |
| C-AC | Needs a zoning certificate | § 23.204.020 |
| M | Needs a zoning certificate | § 23.206.020 |
| MM | Needs a zoning certificate | § 23.206.020 |
| MU-LI | Needs a zoning certificate | § 23.206.020 |
| MU-R | Needs a zoning certificate | § 23.206.020 |
| M-RD | Needs a zoning certificate | § 23.206.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
ES-R.
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Chapter 23.318 Urban Agriculture (not in the packet).
- "Urban Agriculture, High-Impact": AUP* in R districts (ES-R NP), AUP*/AUP in C districts, AUP in M districts.
- Not covered here: Other zoning districts of Division 2 (e.g. mixed-use or special districts) whose tables are not in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Berkeley
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a community garden in the R-1 zone in Berkeley?
Only with a zoning certificate. Berkeley's use table lists it that way in R-1 (§ 23.202.020). The code adds a condition: “* = Use-Specific Regulations Apply (see 23.318 Urban Agriculture)”
Can I have a community garden in the ES-R zone in Berkeley?
No. Berkeley's use table does not allow it in ES-R (Environmental Safety-Residential District) (§ 23.202.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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