Pleasant Hill · Land use · Emergency shelter
Where is an emergency shelter allowed in Pleasant Hill?
In Pleasant Hill, an emergency shelter is allowed in 2 base zones (MX-VHD and LI, 1 with a condition), needs an use permit in 10 (R-20, R-15, R-10, R-10A, R-7 and 5 more, 7 with a condition) and not allowed in 8 (Pleasant Hill use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: MX-VHD and LI
- Needs a permit: R-20, R-15, R-10, R-10A, R-7, R-6, RMD, MX-NB and 2 more
- Not allowed: MFVL, MFL, MFM, MFH, MFVH, NB, PAO and C
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Pleasant Hill 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
Pleasant Hill'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 |
|---|---|---|
| MX-VHD | Allowed | § 18.20.020 |
| LI | Allowed — see note Note L-15: Emergency homeless shelters are permitted "by right" in the limited industrial district (LI) subject to the development standards and regulations noted in Section 18.15.120 . However, once the city's local need for providing emergency homeless shelters is satisfied (based on the most current homeless Point-in-Time Count census data), a conditional use permit is required for any additional beds or emergency homeless shelters. In addition, no emergency homeless shelter is permitted on the Iron Horse Corridor (the area of the former Southern Pacific right-of-way owned by Contra Costa County as identified in Record of Survey RS 2330, filed for record on June 3, 1998, in Book 113 of Land Survey Maps at Page 46, Contra Costa County records) or on any parcel abutting the Iron Horse Corridor. | § 18.25.020 |
| R-20 | Needs an use permit — see note Note Additional Use Regulations: Only on church or school sites. Section 18.15.120 | § 18.15.020 |
| R-15 | Needs an use permit — see note Note Additional Use Regulations: Only on church or school sites. Section 18.15.120 | § 18.15.020 |
| R-10 | Needs an use permit — see note Note Additional Use Regulations: Only on church or school sites. Section 18.15.120 | § 18.15.020 |
| R-10A | Needs an use permit — see note Note Additional Use Regulations: Only on church or school sites. Section 18.15.120 | § 18.15.020 |
| R-7 | Needs an use permit — see note Note Additional Use Regulations: Only on church or school sites. Section 18.15.120 | § 18.15.020 |
| R-6 | Needs an use permit — see note Note Additional Use Regulations: Only on church or school sites. Section 18.15.120 | § 18.15.020 |
| RMD RMD (site-wide master plan applies) | Needs an use permit — see note Note Additional Use Regulations: Only on church or school sites. Section 18.15.120 Note *: Only applicable to projects as determined in Section 18.15.020E (Applicability of Land Use Regulations in RMD Zoning District). | § 18.15.020 |
| MX-NB | Needs an use permit | § 18.20.020 |
| MX | Needs an use permit | § 18.20.020 |
| MX-HD | Needs an use permit | § 18.20.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Section 18.15.120 Emergency Shelters (cited in the Additional Use Regulations column; section not in packet).
- 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: Zone names are not stated in the packet (Chapter 18.05 zoning district list is not included); PUD / PPD districts: uses come from an approved PUD or specific plan (S4), no table; Chapter 18.210 land use definitions not in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Pleasant Hill
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an emergency shelter in the R-20 zone in Pleasant Hill?
Only with an use permit. Pleasant Hill's use table lists it that way in R-20 (§ 18.15.020). The code adds a condition: “Only on church or school sites. Section 18.15.120”
Can I have an emergency shelter in the MFVL zone in Pleasant Hill?
No. Pleasant Hill's use table does not allow it in MFVL (§ 18.15.020).
Can I have an emergency shelter in the MX-VHD zone in Pleasant Hill?
Yes. Pleasant Hill's use table lists it as allowed in MX-VHD (§ 18.20.020).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about an emergency shelter at an address in Pleasant Hill
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question