Sonoma County · Land use · Emergency shelter
Where is an emergency shelter allowed in Sonoma County?
In Sonoma County, an emergency shelter is allowed in 2 base zones (M1 and PF), needs a conditional use permit in 6 (C2, C3, LC, CR, MP and 1 more) and not allowed in 8 (Sonoma County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: M1 and PF
- Needs a permit: C2, C3, LC, CR, MP and M2
- Not allowed: CO, C1, AS, K, M3, PCRR, PCUR and PCCOM
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Sonoma County 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
Sonoma County's code calls this use “Homeless Shelter: Emergency”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| M1 | Allowed | § 26-12-030 |
| PF Public Facilities (name from the matching Chapter 26C coastal district heading) | Allowed | § 26-14-030 |
| C2 Community Commercial (name from the matching Chapter 26C coastal district heading) | Needs a conditional use permit | § 26-10-030 |
| C3 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 26-10-030 |
| LC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 26-10-030 |
| CR | Needs a conditional use permit | § 26-10-030 |
| MP | Needs a conditional use permit | § 26-12-030 |
| M2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 26-12-030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Use regulations 26-28-090 and 26-88-127 (text not in packet).
- Residential zones R1/R2/R3 list only 'Homeless Shelter, Small Scale' (C). Small Scale is also in Table 10-1 (C2 C, C3 P, LC P, CR C), Table 12-1 and Table 14-1 (PCUR C). Not merged, because its definition is not in the packet.
- 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: Chapter 26C coastal districts (LIA CC, LEA CC, DA CC, RRD CC, TP, AR CC, RR, R1, R2, PC, CS, CT, C2, AS, CF, PF): use lists are prose, not tables, and are not mapped here; Definitions and use-regulation sections 26-18 through 26-30 and 26-88 are not in the packet; Combining districts (S, AH, RE, LG, RC, OAK, VOH, G, MR, WH, Z, VR, TS) skipped. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Sonoma County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an emergency shelter in the C2 zone in Sonoma County?
Only with a conditional use permit. Sonoma County's use table lists it that way in C2 (Community Commercial (name from the matching Chapter 26C coastal district heading)) (§ 26-10-030).
Can I have an emergency shelter in the CO zone in Sonoma County?
No. Sonoma County's use table does not allow it in CO (§ 26-10-030).
Can I have an emergency shelter in the M1 zone in Sonoma County?
Yes. Sonoma County's use table lists it as allowed in M1 (§ 26-12-030).
General information, not legal advice.
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