Gilroy · Land use · Rooming or boarding house
Where is a rooming or boarding house allowed in Gilroy?
In Gilroy, a rooming or boarding house is allowed in 1 base zone (RR) and needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) in 9 (R1, R2, R3, R4, RH and 4 more) (Gilroy use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RR
- Needs a permit: R1, R2, R3, R4, RH, PO, DED, TD and 1 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 a rooming or boarding house can go
Gilroy's code calls this use “Boarding or Rooming House”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RR Rural Residential District | Allowed | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R1 Single-Family Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R2 Two (2) Family Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R3 Medium Density Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R4 High Density Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| RH Residential Hillside District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| PO Professional Office | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | § 30.19.10 |
| DED Downtown Expansion District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | § 30.19.10 |
| TD Transitional District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | § 30.19.10 |
| CD Cannery District | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | § 30.19.10 |
What else applies
- 'Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) (1)' is a separate row: X in R4 only. § 30.11.15(h): SRO is subject to the same restrictions as multifamily in the same zone and 'includes structures commonly called residential hotels or rooming houses'.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a rooming or boarding house in the R1 zone in Gilroy?
Only with a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission). Gilroy's use table lists it that way in R1 (Single-Family Residential District) (Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES).
Can I have a rooming or boarding house in the RR zone in Gilroy?
Yes. Gilroy's use table lists it as allowed in RR (Rural Residential District) (Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES).
General information, not legal advice.
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