Rancho Cordova · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Rancho Cordova?
In Rancho Cordova, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 9 base zones (RMU, CMU, OPMU, OIMU, LIBP and 4 more), needs a permit in 19 (AG-80, AG-20, RR, ER, RD-1 and 14 more) and not allowed in 5 (Rancho Cordova use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RMU, CMU, OPMU, OIMU, LIBP, VC, LTC, RTC and 1 more
- Needs a permit: AG-80, AG-20, RR, ER, RD-1, RD-2, RD-3, RD-4 and 11 more
- Not allowed: RD-20, RD-25, RD-30, HDR and T
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Rancho Cordova 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
Rancho Cordova's code calls this use “Religious Institutions”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RMU | Allowed | § 23.313.030 |
| CMU | Allowed | § 23.313.030 |
| OPMU | Allowed | § 23.313.030 |
| OIMU | Allowed | § 23.313.030 |
| LIBP | Allowed | § 23.313.030 |
| VC | Allowed | § 23.313.030 |
| LTC | Allowed | § 23.313.030 |
| RTC | Allowed | § 23.313.030 |
| GC | Allowed | § 23.316.030 |
| AG-80 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.307.030 |
| AG-20 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.307.030 |
| RR | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| ER | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-3 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-4 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-5 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-6 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-7 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-10 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RD-15 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| MDR | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| RMH | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.310.030 |
| M-1 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.316.030 |
| M-2 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 23.316.030 |
| POS | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.319.030 |
| CS | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.319.030 |
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: Zone names are not stated in the packet text (Article 3 is repealed in the stored text). AUP: an administrative use permit may only be used for CEQA-exempt projects; otherwise a conditional use permit is required (S2 B). Special/overlay districts (specific plans, planned developments) have no table in the text.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Rancho Cordova
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the AG-80 zone in Rancho Cordova?
Only with a conditional use permit. Rancho Cordova's use table lists it that way in AG-80 (§ 23.307.030).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RD-20 zone in Rancho Cordova?
No. Rancho Cordova's use table does not allow it in RD-20 (§ 23.310.030).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RMU zone in Rancho Cordova?
Yes. Rancho Cordova's use table lists it as allowed in RMU (§ 23.313.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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