Santa Rosa · Land use · Private school
Where is a private school allowed in Santa Rosa?
In Santa Rosa, a private school is allowed in 1 base zone (PI) and needs a permit in 21 (RR, R-1, R-2, R-3, MH and 16 more, 2 with a condition) (Santa Rosa use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: PI
- Needs a permit: RR, R-1, R-2, R-3, MH, TV-R, CO, CN and 13 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Santa Rosa 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 private school can go
Santa Rosa's code calls this use “School, public or private”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| PI Public and Institutional | Allowed | § 20-26.030 |
| RR Rural Residential | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-22.030 |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-22.030 |
| R-2 Medium Density Multi-Family Residential | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-22.030 |
| R-3 Multi-Family Residential | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-22.030 |
| MH Mobile Home Park | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-22.030 |
| TV-R Transit Village-Residential | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-22.030 |
| CO Office Commercial | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-23.030 |
| CN Neighborhood Commercial | Needs a director conditional use permit — see note Note 7: Residential uses are encouraged as part of new development on sites zoned CN, as described in Section 20-23.050 . | § 20-23.030 |
| CG General Commercial | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-23.030 |
| CV Motor Vehicle Sales | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-23.030 |
| CMU Core Mixed Use | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-23.030 |
| SMU Station Mixed Use | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-23.030 |
| MMU Maker Mixed Use | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-23.030 |
| NMU Neighborhood Mixed Use | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-23.030 |
| CSC Community Shopping Center | Needs a director conditional use permit — see note Note 2: Each new development or project involving significant additions or reconstruction is required to be a mixed use project with a residential component in compliance with the residential density requirements for the CSC zoning district as described in Sections 20-23.040 and 20-23.080 . | § 20-23.030 |
| TV-M Transit Village-Mixed | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-23.030 |
| BP Business Park | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-24.030 |
| IL Light Industrial | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-24.030 |
| IG General Industrial | Needs a director conditional use permit | § 20-24.030 |
| OSR Open-Recreation | Needs a minor conditional use permit | § 20-26.030 |
| OSC Open-Conservation | Needs a minor conditional use permit | § 20-26.030 |
What else applies
- The row does not split public from private or K-12 from college; Division 7 definition not in packet.
- Not covered here: Planned Development (PD) zones, specific plan areas and combining districts (e.g. -SH Senior Housing, 20-28.080) are not in the packet. Several notes give different rights inside Planned Developments and Priority Development Areas; these are carried in the notes but not decided here.; Division 7 land-use definitions, 20-42.040 (animal keeping), 20-42.190 (emergency shelter), 20-42.230, 20-42.050, 20-42.080, 20-42.164 are cited by the tables but NOT in the packet.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Santa Rosa
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a private school in the RR zone in Santa Rosa?
Only with a director conditional use permit. Santa Rosa's use table lists it that way in RR (Rural Residential) (§ 20-22.030).
Can I have a private school in the PI zone in Santa Rosa?
Yes. Santa Rosa's use table lists it as allowed in PI (Public and Institutional) (§ 20-26.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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