San Rafael · Land use · Community garden
Where is a community garden allowed in San Rafael?
In San Rafael, a community garden is allowed in 16 base zones (R, DR, MR, HR, PD and 11 more, 2 with a condition) and needs a conditional use permit (zoning administrator) in 1 (P/OS) (San Rafael use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R, DR, MR, HR, PD, GC, NC, O and 8 more
- Needs a permit: P/OS
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the San Rafael 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 community garden can go
San Rafael's code calls this use “Community gardens”. 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 | Allowed | § 14.04.020 |
| DR | Allowed | § 14.04.020 |
| MR | Allowed | § 14.04.020 |
| HR | Allowed | § 14.04.020 |
| PD Planned Development | Allowed — see note Note PD: No use other than an existing use or a temporary use is permitted in a PD district except in accord with a valid development plan (14.07.020 A). | § 14.04.020 |
| GC | Allowed | § 14.05.020 |
| NC | Allowed | § 14.05.020 |
| O | Allowed | § 14.05.020 |
| C/O | Allowed | § 14.05.020 |
| R/O | Allowed | § 14.05.020 |
| FBWC Francisco Boulevard West Commercial | Allowed — see note Note *: New development and redevelopment within the Francisco Boulevard West commercial district shall be subject to initial use permit review by the planning commission (14.05.020 A.1). | § 14.05.020 |
| I | Allowed | § 14.06.020 |
| LI/O | Allowed | § 14.06.020 |
| CCI/O | Allowed | § 14.06.020 |
| LMU | Allowed | § 14.06.020 |
| P/QP Public/Quasi-Public | Allowed | § 14.09.020 |
| P/OS Parks/Open Space | Needs a conditional use permit (zoning administrator) | § 14.10.020 |
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Performance standards in Chapter 14.17.
- Not covered here: DMU (Downtown Mixed Use): S3 says all land use regulations are in the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan Form-Based Code, not in the packet.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in San Rafael
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a community garden in the P/OS zone in San Rafael?
Only with a conditional use permit (zoning administrator). San Rafael's use table lists it that way in P/OS (Parks/Open Space) (§ 14.10.020).
Can I have a community garden in the R zone in San Rafael?
Yes. San Rafael's use table lists it as allowed in R (§ 14.04.020).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a community garden at an address in San Rafael
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
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