Gilroy · Land use · Emergency shelter
Where is an emergency shelter allowed in Gilroy?
In Gilroy, an emergency shelter is allowed in 2 base zones (R4 and CM, all with a condition) and needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) in 19 (A1, RR, R1, R2, R3 and 14 more, all with a condition) (Gilroy use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R4 and CM
- Needs a permit: A1, RR, R1, R2, R3, RH, PO, C1 and 11 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Gilroy 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 emergency shelter can go
Gilroy's code calls this use “Emergency Shelter”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| R4 High Density Residential District | Allowed — see note Note 1: See section 30.11.15 (Specific housing use types). Note § 30.11.15(b): Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in Article XLI, section 30.41.32. Emergency shelters shall be permitted by right in the R4 zone district and areas designated mixed use (MU) on the Gilroy 2040 General Plan land use diagram. | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| CM Commercial Industrial | Allowed — see note Note 16: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| A1 Agriculture District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 1: See section 30.11.15 (Specific housing use types). Note § 30.11.15(b): Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in Article XLI, section 30.41.32. Emergency shelters shall be permitted by right in the R4 zone district and areas designated mixed use (MU) on the Gilroy 2040 General Plan land use diagram. | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| RR Rural Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 1: See section 30.11.15 (Specific housing use types). Note § 30.11.15(b): Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in Article XLI, section 30.41.32. Emergency shelters shall be permitted by right in the R4 zone district and areas designated mixed use (MU) on the Gilroy 2040 General Plan land use diagram. | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R1 Single-Family Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 1: See section 30.11.15 (Specific housing use types). Note § 30.11.15(b): Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in Article XLI, section 30.41.32. Emergency shelters shall be permitted by right in the R4 zone district and areas designated mixed use (MU) on the Gilroy 2040 General Plan land use diagram. | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R2 Two (2) Family Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 1: See section 30.11.15 (Specific housing use types). Note § 30.11.15(b): Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in Article XLI, section 30.41.32. Emergency shelters shall be permitted by right in the R4 zone district and areas designated mixed use (MU) on the Gilroy 2040 General Plan land use diagram. | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R3 Medium Density Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 1: See section 30.11.15 (Specific housing use types). Note § 30.11.15(b): Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in Article XLI, section 30.41.32. Emergency shelters shall be permitted by right in the R4 zone district and areas designated mixed use (MU) on the Gilroy 2040 General Plan land use diagram. | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| RH Residential Hillside District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 1: See section 30.11.15 (Specific housing use types). Note § 30.11.15(b): Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in Article XLI, section 30.41.32. Emergency shelters shall be permitted by right in the R4 zone district and areas designated mixed use (MU) on the Gilroy 2040 General Plan land use diagram. | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| PO Professional Office | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 16: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| C1 Neighborhood Commercial | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 16: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| C3 Shopping Center Commercial | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 16: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| HC Highway Commercial | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 16: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| DHD Downtown Historic District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 20: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| DED Downtown Expansion District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 20: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| CCA Civic/Cultural Arts District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 20: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| TD Transitional District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 20: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| CD Cannery District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 20: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| GD Gateway District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 20: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.19.10 |
| CI Campus Industrial | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 6: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.23.10 |
| M1 Limited Industrial | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 6: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.23.10 |
| M2 General Industrial | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) — see note Note 6: Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in section 30.41.32 . | § 30.23.10 |
What else applies
- Supportive and transitional housing rows not used (residential uses by state law). § 30.11.15(b) also allows shelters by right in General Plan mixed-use (MU) areas.
- State law: State law (Gov. Code § 65583, SB 2) requires every city to allow emergency shelters by right in at least one zone.
- Not covered here: ND (Neighborhood District): residential table shows '*', use per master/specific plan; Hecker Pass and Glen Loma Ranch special use districts: specific-plan tables not in text; OS and PF districts are lists (S24, S25), not tables. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Gilroy
Who this affects
HomeownersBuyersReal estate agentsSmall developers
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an emergency shelter in the A1 zone in Gilroy?
Only with a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission). Gilroy's use table lists it that way in A1 (Agriculture District) (Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES). The code adds a condition: “See section 30.11.15 (Specific housing use types). Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in Article XLI, section 30.41.32. Emergency shelters shall be permitted by right in the R4…”
Can I have an emergency shelter in the R4 zone in Gilroy?
Yes, with a condition. Gilroy's use table lists it as allowed in R4 (High Density Residential District) (Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES). The code adds a condition: “See section 30.11.15 (Specific housing use types). Emergency shelters shall be subject to the performance standards listed in Article XLI, section 30.41.32. Emergency shelters shall be permitted by right in the R4…”
General information, not legal advice.
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