Seal Beach · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Seal Beach?
In Seal Beach, a church or other place of worship is needs a conditional use permit in 6 (RLD, RMD, RHD, PO, SC and 1 more) and not allowed in 3 (Seal Beach use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RLD, RMD, RHD, PO, SC and GC
- Not allowed: LC/RMD, MCH-RHD and MSSP
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Seal Beach 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 church or other place of worship can go
Seal Beach's code calls this use “Religious Facilities”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RLD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 11.2.05.010 |
| RMD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 11.2.05.010 |
| RHD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 11.2.05.010 |
| PO | Needs a conditional use permit | § 11.2.10.010 |
| SC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 11.2.10.010 |
| GC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 11.2.10.010 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Section 11.4.05.080 (cited in the table; section not in packet).
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: Zone names are not stated in the packet; SPR (Specific Plan Regulation) zone has no use table (S7); Cells for zones whose table does not list the use are left out. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Seal Beach
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RLD zone in Seal Beach?
Only with a conditional use permit. Seal Beach's use table lists it that way in RLD (§ 11.2.05.010).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the LC/RMD zone in Seal Beach?
No. Seal Beach's use table does not allow it in LC/RMD (§ 11.2.10.010).
General information, not legal advice.
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