San Rafael · Land use · Emergency shelter
Where is an emergency shelter allowed in San Rafael?
In San Rafael, an emergency shelter is needs a conditional use permit in 8 (HR, C/O, R/O, I, CCI/O and 3 more) and not allowed in 7 (San Rafael use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: HR, C/O, R/O, I, CCI/O, LMU, M and P/QP
- Not allowed: R, DR, MR, PD, NC, O and FBWC
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 an emergency shelter can go
San Rafael's code calls this use “Emergency shelters for the homeless - Permanent”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| HR | Needs a conditional use permit | § 14.04.020 |
| C/O | Needs a conditional use permit | § 14.05.020 |
| R/O | Needs a conditional use permit | § 14.05.020 |
| I | Needs a conditional use permit | § 14.06.020 |
| CCI/O | Needs a conditional use permit | § 14.06.020 |
| LMU | Needs a conditional use permit | § 14.06.020 |
| M Marine | Needs a conditional use permit | § 14.08.020 |
| P/QP Public/Quasi-Public | Needs a conditional use permit | § 14.09.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Section 14.16.115 Emergency shelters - Permanent.
- Temporary or rotating: C in R, DR, MR, HR, PD, GC, NC, O, C/O, R/O, FBWC, I, LI/O, CCI/O, LMU, M, P/QP.
- 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: 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 an emergency shelter in the HR zone in San Rafael?
Only with a conditional use permit. San Rafael's use table lists it that way in HR (§ 14.04.020).
Can I have an emergency shelter in the R zone in San Rafael?
No. San Rafael's use table does not allow it in R (§ 14.04.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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