Santa Rosa · Land use · Single-family home
Where is a single-family home allowed in Santa Rosa?
In Santa Rosa, a single-family home is allowed in 3 base zones (RR, R-1 and OSR, 1 with a condition), needs a permit in 2 (BP and OSC, 1 with a condition) and not allowed in 7 (Santa Rosa use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RR, R-1 and OSR
- Needs a permit: BP and OSC
- Not allowed: R-2, R-3, MH, TV-R, IL, IG and PI
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 single-family home can go
Santa Rosa's code calls this use “Single-family detached”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RR Rural Residential | Allowed | § 20-22.030 |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential | Allowed | § 20-22.030 |
| OSR Open-Recreation | Allowed — see note Note 3: Not permitted in the Southeast Greenway area. | § 20-26.030 |
| BP Business Park | Needs a director conditional use permit — see note Note 4: Use only allowed if ancillary and related to a primary or dominant use. Note 9: Permitted with a Director Conditional Use Permit within any of the City's Priority Development Areas. Note 10: Permitted with a Director Conditional Use Permit within any nonresidential Planned Development within any of the City's Priority Development Areas. | § 20-24.030 |
| OSC Open-Conservation | Needs a major conditional use permit | § 20-26.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Separate rows: 'Single-family attached' (S3 P in RR, R-1, R-2, R-3, TV-R), 'Small lot residential project - single family detached' (S3 MUP in RR, R-1), 'Half-Plex'.
- State law: State law lets most single-family lots add an ADU and a JADU (California ADU law) and a second home or a lot split under SB 9 (Gov. Code § 65852.21).
- 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 single-family home in the BP zone in Santa Rosa?
Only with a director conditional use permit. Santa Rosa's use table lists it that way in BP (Business Park) (§ 20-24.030). The code adds a condition: “Use only allowed if ancillary and related to a primary or dominant use. Permitted with a Director Conditional Use Permit within any of the City's Priority Development Areas. Permitted with a Director Conditional Use…”
Can I have a single-family home in the R-2 zone in Santa Rosa?
No. Santa Rosa's use table does not allow it in R-2 (Medium Density Multi-Family Residential) (§ 20-22.030).
Can I have a single-family home in the RR zone in Santa Rosa?
Yes. Santa Rosa's use table lists it as allowed in RR (Rural Residential) (§ 20-22.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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