Fresno · Land use · Senior or assisted living
Where is senior housing or assisted living allowed in Fresno?
In Fresno, senior housing or assisted living is allowed in 4 base zones (NMX, CMX, RMX and CR, all with a condition), needs a conditional use permit in 3 (RM-1, RM-2 and RM-3) and not allowed in 6 (Fresno use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: NMX, CMX, RMX and CR
- Needs a permit: RM-1, RM-2 and RM-3
- Not allowed: RM-MH, CMS, CC, CG, CH and CRC
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Fresno Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where senior housing or assisted living can go
Fresno's code calls this use “Elderly and Long-Term Care”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| NMX | Allowed — see note Note 1: Not allowed on the ground floor within 200 feet of an intersection (measured from the lot line) of two or more major streets with the exception of main building entrances and active community spaces. Other high-activity uses may be approved at the discretion of the Review Authority. Projects with frontage on more than one major street may be excepted from this restriction on one of the major streets at the discretion of the Review Authority. | § 15-1102 |
| CMX | Allowed — see note Note 1: Not allowed on the ground floor within 200 feet of an intersection (measured from the lot line) of two or more major streets with the exception of main building entrances and active community spaces. Other high-activity uses may be approved at the discretion of the Review Authority. Projects with frontage on more than one major street may be excepted from this restriction on one of the major streets at the discretion of the Review Authority. | § 15-1102 |
| RMX | Allowed — see note Note 1: Not allowed on the ground floor within 200 feet of an intersection (measured from the lot line) of two or more major streets with the exception of main building entrances and active community spaces. Other high-activity uses may be approved at the discretion of the Review Authority. Projects with frontage on more than one major street may be excepted from this restriction on one of the major streets at the discretion of the Review Authority. | § 15-1102 |
| CR | Allowed — see note Note 2: Not allowed on the ground floor along arterials or collectors. | § 15-1202 |
| RM-1 Residential Multi-Unit District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15-1002 |
| RM-2 Residential Multi-Unit District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15-1002 |
| RM-3 Residential Multi-Unit District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15-1002 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Separate row 'Residential Care, Senior' (S3 RM-1 C, RM-2 P, RM-3 P; S4 NMX/CMX/RMX P(1); S5 CMS C(1)). Downtown districts vary by Activity Class (A/B/C, map Figure 15-1501) and are left out where classes differ: DTN A/B/C: P(1)/P/P; DTG A/B/C: P(1)/P/P; DTC A/B/C: P(1)/P/P.
- State law: A licensed care home for six or fewer residents is a residential use under state law (Health and Safety Code § 1566.3) and is allowed wherever homes are.
- Not covered here: Overlay districts and Part II articles other than Articles 8-15 are not in the text; Downtown cells omitted where Activity Class A/B/C differ. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Fresno
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have senior housing or assisted living in the RM-1 zone in Fresno?
Only with a conditional use permit. Fresno's use table lists it that way in RM-1 (Residential Multi-Unit District) (§ 15-1002).
Can I have senior housing or assisted living in the RM-MH zone in Fresno?
No. Fresno's use table does not allow it in RM-MH (Residential Multi-Unit District) (§ 15-1002).
Can I have senior housing or assisted living in the NMX zone in Fresno?
Yes, with a condition. Fresno's use table lists it as allowed in NMX (§ 15-1102). The code adds a condition: “Not allowed on the ground floor within 200 feet of an intersection (measured from the lot line) of two or more major streets with the exception of main building entrances and active community spaces. Other…”
General information, not legal advice.
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