Buena Park · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Buena Park?
In Buena Park, a church or other place of worship is needs a conditional use permit in 9 (RS-6, RM-10, RM-20, CO, CG and 4 more, 8 with a condition) and not allowed in 9 (Buena Park use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RS-6, RM-10, RM-20, CO, CG, CM, GMU, CBPMU and 1 more
- Not allowed: RS-16, RS-10, RS-8, RMH, CS, CR, MR, ML and 1 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Buena Park 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
Buena Park's code calls this use “Church”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RS-6 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 19.312.010 |
| RM-10 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note (5): Bingo games shall be permitted as an accessory use only when authorized under Chapter 5.16 et seq., and only when fire and safety regulations are met and parking facilities are fully conforming to the requirements for public assembly use. | § 19.412.010 |
| RM-20 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note (5): Bingo games shall be permitted as an accessory use only when authorized under Chapter 5.16 et seq., and only when fire and safety regulations are met and parking facilities are fully conforming to the requirements for public assembly use. | § 19.412.010 |
| CO | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note (1): Bingo games shall be permitted as an accessory use only when authorized under Chapter 5.16 et seq., and only when fire and safety regulations are met and parking facilities are fully conforming to the requirements for public assembly use. | § 19.512.010 |
| CG | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note (1): Bingo games shall be permitted as an accessory use only when authorized under Chapter 5.16 et seq., and only when fire and safety regulations are met and parking facilities are fully conforming to the requirements for public assembly use. | § 19.512.010 |
| CM | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note (1): Bingo games shall be permitted as an accessory use only when authorized under Chapter 5.16 et seq., and only when fire and safety regulations are met and parking facilities are fully conforming to the requirements for public assembly use. | § 19.512.010 |
| GMU | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note (1): Bingo games shall be permitted as an accessory use only when authorized under Chapter 5.16 et seq., and only when fire and safety regulations are met and parking facilities are fully conforming to the requirements for public assembly use. | § 19.712.010 |
| CBPMU | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note (1): Bingo games shall be permitted as an accessory use only when authorized under Chapter 5.16 et seq., and only when fire and safety regulations are met and parking facilities are fully conforming to the requirements for public assembly use. | § 19.712.010 |
| EMU | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note (1): Bingo games shall be permitted as an accessory use only when authorized under Chapter 5.16 et seq., and only when fire and safety regulations are met and parking facilities are fully conforming to the requirements for public assembly use. | § 19.712.010 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- In residential zones churches must be on and oriented to a major, primary or secondary highway (Additional Requirements column).
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: Zone names are not stated in the packet text; Division 3/4/5/6/7 purpose chapters are not included. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Buena Park
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RS-6 zone in Buena Park?
Only with a conditional use permit. Buena Park's use table lists it that way in RS-6 (§ 19.312.010).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RS-16 zone in Buena Park?
No. Buena Park's use table does not allow it in RS-16 (§ 19.312.010).
General information, not legal advice.
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