San Jose · Land use · Bed and breakfast
Where is a bed and breakfast allowed in San Jose?
In San Jose, a bed and breakfast is allowed in 12 base zones (CP, CN, CG, UVC, UV and 7 more, 5 with a condition), needs a conditional use permit in 3 (R-1, R-2 and R-M) and not allowed in 3 (San Jose use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: CP, CN, CG, UVC, UV, MUC, MUN, UR and 4 more
- Needs a permit: R-1, R-2 and R-M
- Not allowed: R-MH, CO and PQP
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the San Jose 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 bed and breakfast can go
San Jose's code calls this use “Bed and breakfast inn”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CP | Allowed — see note Note 21: In the PQP public/quasi-public zoning district, the following uses may be allowed as a use supporting and incidental to a primary PQP use: a. Offices, retail, public eating establishments, and other commercial uses of similar character and intensity, with approval of a Special Use Permit; and b. Drinking establishments, off-sale of alcoholic beverages, arcade amusement games, poolroom/billiards establishments, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and data centers, with approval of a Conditional Use Permit. | USES ALLOWED |
| CN | Allowed — see note Note 21: In the PQP public/quasi-public zoning district, the following uses may be allowed as a use supporting and incidental to a primary PQP use: a. Offices, retail, public eating establishments, and other commercial uses of similar character and intensity, with approval of a Special Use Permit; and b. Drinking establishments, off-sale of alcoholic beverages, arcade amusement games, poolroom/billiards establishments, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and data centers, with approval of a Conditional Use Permit. | USES ALLOWED |
| CG | Allowed — see note Note 21: In the PQP public/quasi-public zoning district, the following uses may be allowed as a use supporting and incidental to a primary PQP use: a. Offices, retail, public eating establishments, and other commercial uses of similar character and intensity, with approval of a Special Use Permit; and b. Drinking establishments, off-sale of alcoholic beverages, arcade amusement games, poolroom/billiards establishments, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and data centers, with approval of a Conditional Use Permit. | USES ALLOWED |
| UVC | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| UV | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| MUC | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| MUN | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| UR | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| TR | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| DC | Allowed — see note Note b: [Applies only inside the Downtown Active Use Area] Not permitted in corner tenant spaces. Corner tenant spaces are defined as storefronts that extend up to or beyond 30 feet along the street in either direction from the intersection. | USES ALLOWED |
| DC-NT1 | Allowed — see note Note b: [Applies only inside the Downtown Active Use Area] Not permitted in corner tenant spaces. Corner tenant spaces are defined as storefronts that extend up to or beyond 30 feet along the street in either direction from the intersection. | USES ALLOWED |
| MS-C | Allowed | USE REGULATIONS |
| R-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| R-2 | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| R-M | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Part 2, Chapter 20.80 (cited in notes column); text not in supplied sections.
- Not covered here: Planned Development (PD) and other zones outside the seven supplied chapters; MS-G cells where the three frontage columns differ. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in San Jose
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a bed and breakfast in the R-1 zone in San Jose?
Only with a conditional use permit. San Jose's use table lists it that way in R-1 (USES ALLOWED).
Can I have a bed and breakfast in the R-MH zone in San Jose?
No. San Jose's use table does not allow it in R-MH (USES ALLOWED).
Can I have a bed and breakfast in the CP zone in San Jose?
Yes, with a condition. San Jose's use table lists it as allowed in CP (USES ALLOWED). The code adds a condition: “In the PQP public/quasi-public zoning district, the following uses may be allowed as a use supporting and incidental to a primary PQP use: a. Offices, retail, public eating establishments, and other commercial uses…”
General information, not legal advice.
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