Merced · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Merced?
In Merced, a church or other place of worship is needs a conditional use permit in 19 (R-R, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and 14 more) and not allowed in 4 (Merced use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: R-R, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-MH, C-O, C-N and 11 more
- Not allowed: C-SC, P-OS, P-PK and A-G
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Merced 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
Merced's code calls this use “Community Assembly”. 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.
The code defines “Community Assembly”: “A facility that provides meeting space for public gatherings. This definition includes places of worship, community centers, club meeting space, social halls, and other similar public or quasi-public uses.” (§ 20.90.020)
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R-R | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.08.020 |
| R-1 Low density residential | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.08.020 |
| R-2 Low medium density residential | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.08.020 |
| R-3 High medium density residential | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.08.020 |
| R-4 High density residential | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.08.020 |
| R-MH | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.08.020 |
| C-O | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.10.020 |
| C-N | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.10.020 |
| C-C | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.10.020 |
| C-T | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.10.020 |
| C-G | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.10.020 |
| B-P | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.10.020 |
| D-COR | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.14.020 |
| D-O | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.14.020 |
| D-CM | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.14.020 |
| R-OV Outer village residential | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.16.020 |
| R-IV Inner village residential | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.16.020 |
| C-V | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.16.020 |
| P-F | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.18.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: RP-D residential planned development and other planned developments (no use table in text); Commercial cannabis uses (Table 20.44-1 in 20.44.170). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Merced
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the R-R zone in Merced?
Only with a conditional use permit. Merced's use table lists it that way in R-R (§ 20.08.020).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the C-SC zone in Merced?
No. Merced's use table does not allow it in C-SC (§ 20.10.020).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a church or other place of worship at an address in Merced
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