San Jose · Land use · Emergency shelter
Where is an emergency shelter allowed in San Jose?
In San Jose, an emergency shelter is allowed in 10 base zones (CP, CN, CG, PQP, CIC and 5 more) and not allowed in 9 (San Jose use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: CP, CN, CG, PQP, CIC, UV, MUC, MUN and 2 more
- Not allowed: CO, TEC, IP, LI, HI, UVC, DC-NT1, MS-G and 1 more
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 an emergency shelter can go
San Jose's code calls this use “Emergency residential shelter, 150 beds or fewer”. 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 | USES ALLOWED |
| CN | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| CG | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| PQP | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| CIC | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| UV | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| MUC | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| MUN | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| UR | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| TR | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Section 20.80.500 and Chapter 20.195 (cited in notes column); text not in supplied sections.
- More than 150 beds and shelters inside the Airport Influence Area are separate rows (S, C or CGP in the same zones). Residential zones (S2) and OS/A (S1) do not list shelters.
- 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: 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 an emergency shelter in the CO zone in San Jose?
No. San Jose's use table does not allow it in CO (USES ALLOWED).
Can I have an emergency shelter in the CP zone in San Jose?
Yes. San Jose's use table lists it as allowed in CP (USES ALLOWED).
General information, not legal advice.
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