St Helena · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in St Helena?
In St Helena, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 2 base zones (MR and HR), needs a conditional use permit in 3 (CB, MU and BPO, all with a condition) and not allowed in 4 (St Helena use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: MR and HR
- Needs a permit: CB, MU and BPO
- Not allowed: LR-1A, LR, SC and I
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the St Helena 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
St Helena's code calls this use “Multifamily dwelling”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| MR | Allowed | § 17.16.020 |
| HR | Allowed | § 17.16.020 |
| CB | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 1: Permitted on upper floors only. | § 17.17.020 |
| MU Mixed-Use | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 2: Permitted on upper floors only for properties fronting onto Main Street. Note 3: Must be part of a mixed-use development. | § 17.17.020 |
| BPO Business and Professional Office | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 1: Permitted on upper floors only. | § 17.18.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Upper-floor-only notes apply in CB, MU and BPO; MU also requires a mixed-use development.
- 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: Zone names are not stated in the packet text; The packet text is a flattened PDF table: rows were read by hand and some cell footnotes are shown as superscripts. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in St Helena
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the CB zone in St Helena?
Only with a conditional use permit. St Helena's use table lists it that way in CB (§ 17.17.020). The code adds a condition: “Permitted on upper floors only.”
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the LR-1A zone in St Helena?
No. St Helena's use table does not allow it in LR-1A (§ 17.16.020).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the MR zone in St Helena?
Yes. St Helena's use table lists it as allowed in MR (§ 17.16.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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