South Pasadena · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in South Pasadena?
In South Pasadena, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 5 base zones (RM, RH, CO, CG and BP, 3 with a condition) and not allowed in 2 (South Pasadena use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RM, RH, CO, CG and BP
- Not allowed: RE and RS
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the South Pasadena 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 apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
South Pasadena's code calls this use “Multifamily dwellings”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RM | Allowed | § 36.220.030 |
| RH | Allowed | § 36.220.030 |
| CO | Allowed — see note Note 5: See SPMC 36.230.050 regarding properties identified as housing sites in the General Plan Housing Element sites inventory as Mixed Use. | § 36.230.030 |
| CG | Allowed — see note Note 5: See SPMC 36.230.050 regarding properties identified as housing sites in the General Plan Housing Element sites inventory as Mixed Use. | § 36.230.030 |
| BP | Allowed — see note Note 5: See SPMC 36.230.050 regarding properties identified as housing sites in the General Plan Housing Element sites inventory as Mixed Use. Note 6: Residential units shall be located above the ground-floor level. | § 36.230.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: SPMC 36.350.180, 36.350.190 (residential) and 36.230.050 (commercial).
- CF-50 parcels allow multifamily (S4 D.4) but CF-50 is a designation, not a table column.
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: DTSP and HFSP (specific plans); AM overlay (36.250.030); Table 2-6 mixed-use overlay (36.230.050 table) not in packet; CF-50 multifamily detail. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in South Pasadena
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RE zone in South Pasadena?
No. South Pasadena's use table does not allow it in RE (§ 36.220.030).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RM zone in South Pasadena?
Yes. South Pasadena's use table lists it as allowed in RM (§ 36.220.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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