Carson · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Carson?
In Carson, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is needs a conditional use permit in 6 (RM, CN, CR, CG, MU-CS and 1 more, 5 with a condition) and not allowed in 3 (Carson use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RM, CN, CR, CG, MU-CS and MU-SB
- Not allowed: RA, RS and CA
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Carson Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Carson's code calls this use “Multiple-family dwellings on lots 50 feet wide or greater. (RM); Multiple-family residential and residential condominiums within the MUR overlay ... (commercial zones)”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RM | Needs a conditional use permit | Division 1 — Uses Permitted |
| CN | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Row condition: Applies only within the Mixed-Use Residential (MUR) overlay district, the Mixed-Use Carson Street district, and the Mixed-Use Sepulveda Boulevard district, on lots with a minimum 100-foot street frontage. | Division 1 — Uses Permitted |
| CR | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Row condition: Applies only within the Mixed-Use Residential (MUR) overlay district, the Mixed-Use Carson Street district, and the Mixed-Use Sepulveda Boulevard district, on lots with a minimum 100-foot street frontage. | Division 1 — Uses Permitted |
| CG | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Row condition: Applies only within the Mixed-Use Residential (MUR) overlay district, the Mixed-Use Carson Street district, and the Mixed-Use Sepulveda Boulevard district, on lots with a minimum 100-foot street frontage. | Division 1 — Uses Permitted |
| MU-CS | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Row condition: Applies only within the Mixed-Use Residential (MUR) overlay district, the Mixed-Use Carson Street district, and the Mixed-Use Sepulveda Boulevard district, on lots with a minimum 100-foot street frontage. | Division 1 — Uses Permitted |
| MU-SB | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Row condition: Applies only within the Mixed-Use Residential (MUR) overlay district, the Mixed-Use Carson Street district, and the Mixed-Use Sepulveda Boulevard district, on lots with a minimum 100-foot street frontage. | Division 1 — Uses Permitted |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: CMC § 9123.1 and § 9128.51 – 9128.55.
- Lots under 50 feet wide: C in RM, subject to CMC § 9126.9, § 9172.23, § 9123.1, § 9128.51 to § 9128.55. Residential condominium: C in RM.
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: Zone names are not stated in the packet; overlay districts (MUR, ORL, EMS) and the Open Space 'Special Use' column have no table of their own for these uses. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Carson
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RM zone in Carson?
Only with a conditional use permit. Carson's use table lists it that way in RM (Division 1 — Uses Permitted).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RA zone in Carson?
No. Carson's use table does not allow it in RA (Division 1 — Uses Permitted).
General information, not legal advice.
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