El Cajon · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in El Cajon?
In El Cajon, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 3 base zones (C-N, C-G and C-R, all with a condition) and needs a conditional use permit in 15 (PRD, RS-40, RS-20, RS-14, RS-9 and 10 more, 2 with a condition) (El Cajon use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: C-N, C-G and C-R
- Needs a permit: PRD, RS-40, RS-20, RS-14, RS-9, RS-6, RM-6000, RM-4300 and 7 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the El Cajon 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
El Cajon's code calls this use “Religious facilities”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C-N | Allowed — see note Note 9: Subject to parking requirements listed in section 17.185.190 . | § 17.145.150 |
| C-G | Allowed — see note Note 9: Subject to parking requirements listed in section 17.185.190 . | § 17.145.150 |
| C-R | Allowed — see note Note 9: Subject to parking requirements listed in section 17.185.190 . | § 17.145.150 |
| PRD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-40 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-20 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-14 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-9 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-6 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-6000 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-4300 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-2500 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-2200 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-1450 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-HR | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.140.210 |
| O-P | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 9: Subject to parking requirements listed in section 17.185.190 . | § 17.145.150 |
| C-M | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 9: Subject to parking requirements listed in section 17.185.190 . | § 17.145.150 |
| M Manufacturing | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.150.170 |
What else applies
- Residential table row is worded "Religious facilities and non-profit service organizations devoted to serving the general public". M zone (S7): "Religious facilities" C.
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: Specific plan zones (SP 182, SP 462, SP 32 etc.); M-U overlay adds residential to underlying zones (S3/S4). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in El Cajon
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the PRD zone in El Cajon?
Only with a conditional use permit. El Cajon's use table lists it that way in PRD (§ 17.140.210).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the C-N zone in El Cajon?
Yes, with a condition. El Cajon's use table lists it as allowed in C-N (§ 17.145.150). The code adds a condition: “Subject to parking requirements listed in section 17.185.190 .”
General information, not legal advice.
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