San Anselmo · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in San Anselmo?
In San Anselmo, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 5 base zones (R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2 and C-3, 4 with a condition) and needs a conditional use permit in 1 (P) (San Anselmo use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2 and C-3
- Needs a permit: 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 an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
San Anselmo's code calls this use “Residential, Multifamily (5+ units)”. 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-2 | Allowed | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| R-3 | Allowed — see note Note 18: If the use is an owner-occupied and rental multifamily residential development with twenty (20%) percent of the units reserved for lower-income households; it shall be allowed by-right pursuant to California Government Code Section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i). This by-right provision applies to the following properties identified in the Housing Element: Site 2 (300 Sunny Hills Dr.), Site 14 (100 Center Blvd.), Site 19 (330 Red Hill Ave.), Site 21 (100 Red Hill Ave. and APN 006-167-06), Site 22 (6 Red Hill Ave.), Site 24 (208 Greenfield Ave., 222 Greenfield Ave., 224 Greenfield Ave., 270 Greenfield Ave.), Site 25 (5 W Hillside Ave.), Site 26 (6 W. Hillside Ave., 130 Greenfield Ave.), Site 40 (120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 130 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.), Site 50 (121 San Anselmo Ave.), and Site 61 (305 San Anselmo Ave.). | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| C-1 | Allowed — see note Note 18: If the use is an owner-occupied and rental multifamily residential development with twenty (20%) percent of the units reserved for lower-income households; it shall be allowed by-right pursuant to California Government Code Section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i). This by-right provision applies to the following properties identified in the Housing Element: Site 2 (300 Sunny Hills Dr.), Site 14 (100 Center Blvd.), Site 19 (330 Red Hill Ave.), Site 21 (100 Red Hill Ave. and APN 006-167-06), Site 22 (6 Red Hill Ave.), Site 24 (208 Greenfield Ave., 222 Greenfield Ave., 224 Greenfield Ave., 270 Greenfield Ave.), Site 25 (5 W Hillside Ave.), Site 26 (6 W. Hillside Ave., 130 Greenfield Ave.), Site 40 (120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 130 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.), Site 50 (121 San Anselmo Ave.), and Site 61 (305 San Anselmo Ave.). | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| C-2 | Allowed — see note Note 10: Residential uses are allowed only on upper floors unless the use is an owner-occupied and rental multifamily residential development with twenty (20%) percent of the units reserved for lower-income households; in which case it shall be allowed by-right pursuant to California Government Code Section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i). This by-right provision applies to the following properties identified in the Housing Element: Site 2 (300 Sunny Hills Dr), Site 14 (100 Center Blvd), Site 19 (330 Red Hill Ave), Site 21 (100 Red Hill Ave and APN 006-167-06), Site 22 (6 Red Hill Ave.), Site 24 (208 Greenfield Ave., 222 Greenfield Ave., 224 Greenfield Ave., 270 Greenfield Ave.), Site 25 (5 W. Hillside Ave.), Site 26 (6 W. Hillside Ave, 130 Greenfield Ave.), Site 40 (120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.; 130 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.), Site 50 (121 San Anselmo Ave.), and Site 61 (305 San Anselmo Ave). Note 18: If the use is an owner-occupied and rental multifamily residential development with twenty (20%) percent of the units reserved for lower-income households; it shall be allowed by-right pursuant to California Government Code Section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i). This by-right provision applies to the following properties identified in the Housing Element: Site 2 (300 Sunny Hills Dr.), Site 14 (100 Center Blvd.), Site 19 (330 Red Hill Ave.), Site 21 (100 Red Hill Ave. and APN 006-167-06), Site 22 (6 Red Hill Ave.), Site 24 (208 Greenfield Ave., 222 Greenfield Ave., 224 Greenfield Ave., 270 Greenfield Ave.), Site 25 (5 W Hillside Ave.), Site 26 (6 W. Hillside Ave., 130 Greenfield Ave.), Site 40 (120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 130 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.), Site 50 (121 San Anselmo Ave.), and Site 61 (305 San Anselmo Ave.). | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| C-3 | Allowed — see note Note 14: For properties south of Ross Avenue, residential uses are allowed only on upper floors or behind the ground floor commercial/office use unless the use is an owner-occupied and rental multifamily residential development with twenty (20%) percent of the units reserved for lower-income households; in which case it shall be allowed by-right pursuant to California Government Code Section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i). This by-right provision applies to the following properties identified in the Housing Element: Site 2 (300 Sunny Hills Dr), Site 14 (100 Center Blvd), Site 19 (330 Red Hill Ave), Site 21 (100 Red Hill Ave and APN 006-167-06), Site 22 (6 Red Hill Ave.), Site 24 (208 Greenfield Ave., 222 Greenfield Ave., 224 Greenfield Ave., 270 Greenfield Ave.), Site 25 (5 W. Hillside Ave.), Site 26 (6 W. Hillside Ave, 130 Greenfield Ave.), Site 40 (120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.; 130 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.), Site 50 (121 San Anselmo Ave.), and Site 61 (305 San Anselmo Ave). Note 18: If the use is an owner-occupied and rental multifamily residential development with twenty (20%) percent of the units reserved for lower-income households; it shall be allowed by-right pursuant to California Government Code Section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i). This by-right provision applies to the following properties identified in the Housing Element: Site 2 (300 Sunny Hills Dr.), Site 14 (100 Center Blvd.), Site 19 (330 Red Hill Ave.), Site 21 (100 Red Hill Ave. and APN 006-167-06), Site 22 (6 Red Hill Ave.), Site 24 (208 Greenfield Ave., 222 Greenfield Ave., 224 Greenfield Ave., 270 Greenfield Ave.), Site 25 (5 W Hillside Ave.), Site 26 (6 W. Hillside Ave., 130 Greenfield Ave.), Site 40 (120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 130 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.), Site 50 (121 San Anselmo Ave.), and Site 61 (305 San Anselmo Ave.). | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
| P | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 3 — Land Use Regulations |
What else applies
- 'Residential, Multifamily (2 to 4 units)' is a separate row: P/C(6,17) R-1-H/R-1-C, P/C(6) R-1, P R-2, P/C(18) R-3, C in P, P C-1, P(10) C-2, P C-L, P(14) C-3.
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- 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
HomeownersBuyersReal estate agentsSmall developers
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the P zone in San Anselmo?
Only with a conditional use permit. San Anselmo's use table lists it that way in P (Article 3 — Land Use Regulations).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R-2 zone in San Anselmo?
Yes. San Anselmo's use table lists it as allowed in R-2 (Article 3 — Land Use Regulations).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about an apartment building (multifamily housing) 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