Alhambra · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Alhambra?
In Alhambra, a church or other place of worship is needs a permit in 9 (RL, RM, RH, CBD, EMC and 4 more) and not allowed in 2 (Alhambra use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RL, RM, RH, CBD, EMC, CMU, PO, PF and 1 more
- Not allowed: AC and I
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Alhambra 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
Alhambra's code calls this use “Community assembly”. 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.
The code defines “Community Assembly”: “A facility for public or private meetings and gatherings, including community centers, religious facilities, houses of worship, union halls, meeting halls, banquet halls, and membership organizations. This classification includes the use of functiona” (§ 23.43.020)
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| RL | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.04.020 |
| RM | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.04.020 |
| RH | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.04.020 |
| CBD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.05.020 |
| EMC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.05.020 |
| CMU | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.05.020 |
| PO | Needs a minor use permit | § 23.06.020 |
| PF | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.07.020 |
| OS | Needs a conditional use permit | § 23.07.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 23.22.060 Community assembly.
- 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 text; -PD overlay (23.11) has no table. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Alhambra
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RL zone in Alhambra?
Only with a conditional use permit. Alhambra's use table lists it that way in RL (§ 23.04.020).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the AC zone in Alhambra?
No. Alhambra's use table does not allow it in AC (§ 23.05.020).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a church or other place of worship at an address in Alhambra
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question