Mill Valley · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Mill Valley?
In Mill Valley, a church or other place of worship is needs a permit in 6 (RS, R-P, C-G, C-N, C-D and 1 more, 1 with a condition) (Mill Valley use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RS, R-P, C-G, C-N, C-D and C-L
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Mill Valley 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
Mill Valley's code calls this use “Religious assembly / Church / Churches”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RS RS Districts (single family) | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.16.030 |
| R-P R-P Districts | Needs a planned development approval — see note Note S4 intro: all uses other than dwellings shall be distinctly secondary and accessory to the residential use of the R-P District and surrounding property and shall not change the basic residential character of the R-P District. | § 20.18.050 |
| C-G General Commercial | Needs an administrative use permit | § 20.40.020 |
| C-N Neighborhood Commercial | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.40.020 |
| C-D Downtown Commercial | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.40.020 |
| C-L Limited Commercial | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.40.020 |
What else applies
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: C-R (S12: planned unit development list only), C-F (S14: every use needs a CUP except public schools; § 20.55.025 prohibited uses not in packet) and U (S17: all uses need a CUP): no per-use cells used. Chapter 20.24 RM-3.5 prohibitions beyond the lists are not stated.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Mill Valley
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RS zone in Mill Valley?
Only with a conditional use permit. Mill Valley's use table lists it that way in RS (RS Districts (single family)) (§ 20.16.030).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a church or other place of worship at an address in Mill Valley
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