San Anselmo · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in San Anselmo?
In San Anselmo, a church or other place of worship is needs a conditional use permit in 7 (R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2 and 2 more, 1 with a condition) and not allowed in 3 (San Anselmo use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2, C-L and C-3
- Not allowed: R-1-H, R-1-C and P
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the San Anselmo 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
San Anselmo'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 |
|---|---|---|
| R-1 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 2: Use is prohibited on lots created by California Government Code Sections 65852.21 and 66411.7. | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| R-2 | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| R-3 | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| C-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| C-2 | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| C-L | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| C-3 | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
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: R-HO (overlay, not in table); PF (Public Facilities); OS (Open Space). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in San Anselmo
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the R-1 zone in San Anselmo?
Only with a conditional use permit. San Anselmo's use table lists it that way in R-1 (Article 3 — Land Use Regulations). The code adds a condition: “Use is prohibited on lots created by California Government Code Sections 65852.21 and 66411.7.”
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the R-1-H zone in San Anselmo?
No. San Anselmo's use table does not allow it in R-1-H (Article 3 — Land Use Regulations).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a church or other place of worship at an address in San Anselmo
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question