Local zoning · Berkeley

Berkeley — Land Use

Land Use under the Berkeley local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: June 29, 2026

Overview

Berkeley regulates what can be built where through Title 23 of the City of Berkeley Zoning Ordinance. Land-use permissions are organized by base districts (residential, commercial, manufacturing), overlay zones, and citywide rules. Each district has a stated purpose, a table of allowed uses (and permit tier: Zoning Certificate, Administrative Use Permit, or Use Permit with public hearing), and dimensional standards like height, setbacks, and coverage. See the citywide Berkeley zoning & planning overview for how this page fits with Berkeley Zoning, Berkeley Development Standards, and related topics like Berkeley Design Review and Berkeley Parking.

Key land-use tables:

  • Residential districts: Table 23.202-1 (Allowed Land Uses in Residential Districts)
  • Commercial districts: Table 23.204-1 (Allowed Uses in the Commercial Districts)
  • Manufacturing districts: Table 23.206-1 (Allowed Land Uses in Manufacturing Districts) — see 23.206.020 (chapter index confirms location).

Citywide rules you will use frequently:

  • In residential districts, unlisted uses are not permitted. In commercial districts, unlisted uses may be allowed with an AUP if found compatible with district purpose (Residential: 23.202.020.B; Commercial: 23.204.020.B).
  • Change-of-use and new-floor-area thresholds are set in 23.204.030 and Table 23.204-2 (e.g., in C-U, less than 5,000 sq ft new floor area = ZC; 5,000+ = UP(PH)).
  • All land uses and structures must comply with Title 23; the official Zoning Map is maintained per 23.108; overlays supersede base districts where they conflict (23.210.010–.020).

Note: Accessory dwelling units are governed in 23.306 and cross-referenced in the residential land-use table; see our Berkeley ADUs page and California ADU law.

How Berkeley’s land-use tables work

  • Permit tiers: ZC (Zoning Certificate), AUP (Administrative Use Permit), UP(PH) (Use Permit with public hearing). These tiers appear in Table 23.202-1 for residential districts and Table 23.204-1 for commercial districts; manufacturing uses are in Table 23.206-1.
  • Citywide supplemental use regulations (e.g., live entertainment and outdoor uses) are in Chapter 23.302; cannabis is Chapter 23.320; loading is 23.322. See also Berkeley Nonconforming Uses for existing uses that don’t meet current code.

Residential Districts (purpose, typical uses, key standards, where)

The residential chapter (23.202) defines the districts below and points to citywide dimensional rules in Chapter 23.304.

R-1 — Single-Family Residential

  • Purpose: Protect low-density single-family areas and allow local-serving community facilities.
  • Typical uses: Dwellings per Table 23.202-1; community facilities by permit.
  • Key standards: Min lot 5,000 sq ft; setbacks 20 ft front/rear, 4 ft interior; max height 28 ft/3 stories (AUP up to 35 ft); max lot coverage 40% (Table 23.202-2).
  • Where: Citywide where mapped R-1 on the Zoning Map (23.108). Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-1A — Limited Two-Family Residential

  • Purpose: Allow two units on one lot under limited conditions and maintain low/medium density form.
  • Typical uses: One or two dwellings per Table 23.202-1.
  • Key standards: Two units need 4,500 sq ft min lot; open space 400 sq ft/unit; max height 28 ft/3 stories (AUP to 35 ft); setbacks 20 ft front/rear; coverage 40–45% (Table 23.202-3).
  • Where: Mapped R-1A areas, including parts west of San Pablo (district purpose). Verify with the jurisdiction.

ES-R — Environmental Safety-Residential (Panoramic Hill)

  • Purpose: Manage development on Panoramic Hill given infrastructure and hazard constraints; requires a Specific Plan before approving new dwelling units.
  • Typical uses: Residential per Table 23.202-1; room rental up to four persons; stricter triggers for “land-use intensification.”
  • Key standards: Max height 35 ft; setbacks 20 ft front/rear, 15 ft interior/street side; building separation 30 ft; lot coverage 30% (Table 23.202-?—embedded in ES-R section). Findings needed for height increases and intensification (23.202.070.H).
  • Where: Panoramic Hill subarea of Berkeley; see Zoning Map (23.108). Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-2 — Restricted Two-Family

  • Purpose: Encourage low–medium density (single-family to small apartments) with more open space.
  • Typical uses: 1–2 units and small apartments per Table 23.202-1.
  • Key standards: Min lot 5,000 sq ft; per dwelling 2,500 sq ft; open space 400 sq ft/unit; height 28 ft/3 stories (AUP to 35 ft); setbacks 20/20/4/10 ft (front/rear/interior/street side); coverage 45/40/35% by stories (Tables 23.202-5 to -7).
  • Where: As mapped R-2; confirm via Zoning Map (23.108).

R-2A — Restricted Multiple-Family

  • Purpose: Medium-density “garden-type” apartments with maximum open space.
  • Typical uses: Multifamily per Table 23.202-1.
  • Key standards: Per dwelling 1,650 sq ft; open space 300 sq ft/unit; height 28 ft/3 stories (AUP to 35 ft); setbacks 15/15/4/6 to 10 ft; coverage 45/40/35% (Tables 23.202-8 to -10).
  • Where: Mapped R-2A areas citywide (23.108). Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-3 — Multiple-Family

  • Purpose: Relatively high-density residential with reasonable open space.
  • Typical uses: Multifamily and group living (permit tiers per Table 23.202-1).
  • Key standards: Open space 200 sq ft/unit; height 35 ft/3 stories; setbacks 15 ft front/rear; coverage varies by stories; Southside subarea may allow coverage increases with AUP (Tables 23.202-11 to -13).
  • Where: Mapped R-3; some parts in Southside have added review/design triggers.

R-4 — Multi-Family

  • Purpose: Allow apartments and some institutional/office; design review for commercial/mixed-use.
  • Key standards: Height 35 ft/3 stories, up to 65 ft/6 stories with Use Permit; escalating setbacks by story (Tables 23.202-14 to -16).
  • Where: Mapped R-4 citywide near corridors; verify with the jurisdiction.

R-5 — High-Density Residential

  • Purpose: High-density near major centers.
  • Key standards: Height 40 ft/4 stories (UP to 65 ft/6 stories); open space 100 sq ft/unit; setbacks escalate by story; coverage scales by height (Tables 23.202-17 to -19).
  • Where: Mapped R-5 near downtown/major corridors. Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-S — Residential Southside

  • Purpose: Higher to moderate density near Telegraph/Downtown with open-space protections.
  • Key standards: Height 35 ft/3 stories (AUP/UP may allow to 45 ft/4 stories with findings); open space 50 sq ft/unit; setbacks escalate by story (Tables 23.202-20 to -22).
  • Where: Southside area; confirm with Zoning Map and Southside Plan.

R-SMU — Residential Southside Mixed Use

  • Purpose: High-density mixed residential area in Southside.
  • Typical uses: Residential, some commercial with limits (e.g., food product stores limited to 3,000 sq ft).
  • Key standards: Height 60 ft/4 stories (Use Permit may allow 75/65 ft in subareas); open space 40 sq ft/unit; special setback/coverage tables and potential coverage up to 100% by AUP in specified cases (Tables 23.202-23 to -27).

Commercial Districts (purpose, typical uses, key standards, where)

Commercial districts share a common allowed-use table and district-specific rules; “new floor area” thresholds and “change of use” rules apply citywide (23.204.030; Table 23.204-2).

C-C — Corridor Commercial

  • Purpose: Avenue Commercial corridors; compatible mixed-use.
  • Typical uses: Retail/services; exclusive or mixed residential allowed with findings; see Table 23.204-1 and 23.204.050.D.3.b.
  • Key standards: Development standards in Table 23.204-8; residential-only have separate setback/coverage tables; new floor area: <5,000 sq ft ZC; ≥5,000 sq ft UP(PH).
  • Where: University Ave, San Pablo Ave segments and other corridors.

C-U — University Commercial

  • Purpose: Implement University Avenue Strategic Plan; pedestrian/transit orientation.
  • Typical uses: Corridor retail/services; ground-floor residential requires UP; in the University Ave Node, residential must be in mixed-use.
  • Key standards: See Tables 23.204-11 to -16; required open-space features along University Ave; new floor area thresholds mirror C-C.
  • Where: University Avenue corridor (node/subareas mapped).

C-N — Neighborhood Commercial

  • Purpose: Everyday neighborhood goods/services; compatibility with adjacent housing.
  • Key standards: FAR up to 3.0 for non-residential; residential-only standards in Tables 23.204-17 to -19; certain standards modifiable via UP(PH).
  • Where: Small neighborhood nodes citywide.

C-E — Elmwood Commercial

  • Purpose: Maintain a neighborhood-serving retail mix with numeric/size limits (e.g., total food service establishments and shop size caps per Table 23.204-20).
  • Key standards: FAR 0.8–1.0 for non-residential; residential-only have dedicated setback and coverage tables (23.204-21 to -23).
  • Where: Elmwood district along College Ave.

C-NS — North Shattuck Commercial

  • Purpose/Finding highlights: Projects must be compatible with district/residential edges and not exceed traffic/parking capacity (permit findings).
  • Where: North Shattuck corridor.

C-SA — South Area Commercial

  • Purpose: Community- and neighborhood-serving South Berkeley corridors; supports mixed-use and auto sales at a mapped overlay.
  • Typical uses: Broad retail/services; mixed-use allowed with ZC only if entirely residential above ground floor and total GFA <5,000 sq ft; otherwise UP.
  • Key standards: Subarea height: up to 60 ft/5 stories for mixed-use/residential (Table 23.204-28); setbacks and coverage per Tables 23.204-29 and -30.
  • Where: South Shattuck/Adeline; dealership overlay applies along segments of Shattuck/Adeline.

C-T — Telegraph Avenue Commercial

  • Purpose: Serve University population and neighbors without high traffic; shade studies required for 4+ stories; ZAB may step back upper floors to reduce shading.
  • Where: Telegraph Avenue.

C-SO — Solano Avenue Commercial

  • Purpose: Neighborhood retail with 11 p.m. closing time policy; limit high-traffic regional draws.
  • Key notes: Max two exterior ATMs per bank if off-street parking provided; development standards in Table 23.204-34 ff.

C-DMU — Downtown Mixed-Use

  • Typical uses: Downtown retail, office, housing, hotels per Table 23.204-1; UP findings require compatibility with district character (23.204.130).
  • New floor area thresholds: <10,000 sq ft ZC; ≥10,000 sq ft UP(PH), with added ZAB findings.
  • Where: Downtown core.

C-W — West Berkeley Commercial

  • Purpose: Support neighborhood- and city-serving commercial in West Berkeley and mixed-use housing to bolster transit/local retail.
  • Mixed-use permits: See Table 23.204-41 (e.g., 15–33% retail: ZC under 20,000 sq ft, UP at ≥20,000 sq ft; other mixed-use has ZC/AUP/UP thresholds).
  • Findings must also comply with the West Berkeley Plan.

C-AC — Adeline Corridor Commercial

  • Purpose: Implement Adeline Corridor Specific Plan; equity, housing, and culturally active ground floors.
  • Ground-floor: “Active Commercial” required in mapped frontages; offices restricted by size/width; affordable residential may be allowed on ground floor with AUP.
  • Where: Adeline/South Shattuck subareas per plan.

Manufacturing Districts (purpose, typical uses, key standards, where)

M — Manufacturing

  • Typical uses: Manufacturing/industrial per Table 23.206-1 (not included here). Not found in retrieved materials for numeric standards; see 23.206.060. Verify with the jurisdiction.

MM — Mixed Manufacturing

  • Highlights: Offices only above ground floor unless ancillary; upper-story office or replacement of manufacturing/warehouse may trigger AUP/UP; FAR and basic height in Table 23.206-11 (e.g., max height 45 ft; FAR 2.0).
  • Where: West Berkeley MM areas.

MU-LI — Mixed Use–Light Industrial

  • Purpose: Support light industry with compatible uses; strict retail limits (food product stores; building materials/garden supply) and life-science lab restrictions (no Class 3; Class 2 only ≥500 ft from residential or MU-R). Wholesale near housing may require AUP if within 150 ft.
  • Where: West Berkeley light-industrial zones.

MU-R — Mixed Use–Residential

  • Purpose/compatibility: Mixed live/work and residential near industry with compatibility findings. Added protections near M/MM: residential Use Permit required near specified M/MM adjacencies; owner must record acknowledgment of industrial impacts. Development standards include per-dwelling 1,250 sq ft, FAR 1.0 (1.5 if 50%+ res/Live-Work), typical heights 28–35 ft depending on use (Table 23.206-14).
  • Where: West Berkeley MU-R corridors/blocks.

Overlay Zones that change what uses are allowed

  • Hillside Overlay (H): Overlay controls over base district where they conflict; within R-2/H, multiple dwellings on a single property are not permitted; height may be modified with AUP under 23.210.020 and Table 23.210-1. See Berkeley Overlay Districts.
  • Civic Center District Overlay: Exists under 23.210.030; Not found in retrieved materials for detailed use rules. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Citywide supplemental use regulations that matter for land use

  • Live entertainment: Permit tiers by district (e.g., in C-N/C-NS/C-W, amplified music UP(PH); unamplified ZC). Table 23.302-2.
  • Outdoor uses (e.g., exterior ATMs, outdoor storage): Permit matrix by district; in most Commercial districts, AUP if not abutting residential, UP(PH) if abutting (Table 23.302-3).
  • Cannabis: Cultivation allowed with ZC in M subject to 300‑ft buffers from schools and City community centers; delivery-only retailers barred from street-fronting commercial spaces; lounges require Use Permit (23.320).
  • Off-street loading: Certain land uses trigger loading by district and size (Tables 23.322-12, -13).
  • Design review: Required broadly in non-residential districts and in several residential districts for commercial/mixed-use projects; see our Berkeley Design Review page and 23.102.040.B.7.

Snapshot: decision-relevant permissions and controls

District Typical allowed/conditional uses (examples) Key dimensional controls Where it applies Code Reference
R-1 Dwellings; local-serving institutions by permit Min lot 5,000 sq ft; front/rear 20 ft; max height 28 ft/3 stories (AUP to 35 ft); 40% coverage Low-density neighborhoods citywide 23.202.050; Table 23.202-2
R-3 Multifamily; group living by permit Height 35 ft/3 stories; front/rear 15 ft; 200 sq ft open space/unit Higher-density areas incl. parts of Southside Tables 23.202-11 to -13
R-5 High-density apartments/hotels 40 ft/4 stories (UP to 65 ft/6 stories); 100 sq ft open space/unit Near Downtown/major centers Tables 23.202-17 to -19
C-N Neighborhood retail/services; mixed-use allowed Non-res FAR 3.0; residential-only standards in 23.204-17 to -19 Neighborhood nodes 23.204.070; Tables 23.204-17–19
C-E Elmwood shops with numeric limits; residences by permit Non-res FAR 0.8–1.0; res-only setbacks/coverage in 23.204-22/-23 Elmwood/College Ave 23.204.080; Tables 23.204-20 to -23
C-W West Berkeley retail/services; mixed-use with size-based tiers Mixed-use permit thresholds in Table 23.204-41 West Berkeley nodes 23.204.140; Table 23.204-41
C-AC Active ground-floor commercial required in mapped frontages; mixed-use Ground-floor limitations; office size/width controls; subarea standards Adeline/South Shattuck 23.204.150; Table 23.204-43
MU-R Residential/live-work with compatibility near industry Per-dwelling 1,250 sq ft; FAR 1.0–1.5; heights 28–35 ft West Berkeley mixed-use edges 23.206.090; Table 23.206-14
MU-LI Light industry; limited retail; lab limits; wholesale buffers Development standards not summarized here; see district chapter West Berkeley LI areas 23.206.080; 23.206.020(B)

Note: For parking ratios, see Berkeley Parking. For signage allowances, see Berkeley Signage. For planting/buffer rules at edges, see Berkeley Landscaping and Screening. For historic resources, see Berkeley Historic Preservation. For exceptions, see Berkeley Variances and Exceptions. Building design details are not in the California Building Standards Code section of this site; stay within zoning scope here.

Checklist

  • Confirm base zoning and any overlays using the official Zoning Map (23.108) and overlay chapter (23.210). Verify with the jurisdiction.
  • Identify your proposed land use in the applicable allowed-use table: Table 23.202-1 (residential), 23.204-1 (commercial), or 23.206-1 (manufacturing).
  • Check for “change of use” or “new floor area” triggers and permit thresholds in 23.204.030 and Table 23.204-2 for commercial areas.
  • Confirm district development standards (height, FAR, setbacks, coverage) in the district’s tables and citywide Chapter 23.304.
  • If in Southside, Elmwood, or corridor districts, confirm any subarea-specific rules, numeric limits, or ground-floor use requirements.
  • Check supplemental use regulations for your use (live entertainment, outdoor uses, cannabis, loading).
  • Determine if design review applies (often for non-residential/mixed-use; see district chapters and 23.102.040.B.7).
  • For ADUs, follow 23.306 and see the Berkeley ADUs page.
  • If near industrial districts, review added MU-R findings and buffers.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Unlisted uses in residential They are not permitted; proposals must match a listed category Confirm the closest listed use in Table 23.202-1 and any use-specific regs in 23.302 or district chapter.
Unlisted uses in commercial May be allowed with an AUP if compatible with district purpose Coordinate early with staff; 23.204.020.B allows AUP for unlisted uses if compatible.
Ground-floor residential prohibitions In C-U, ground-floor residential needs a Use Permit; Node areas require mixed-use Check subarea boundaries and findings in 23.204.060 and related figures/tables.
Numeric limits in Elmwood (C-E) Capped numbers/sizes of certain stores; some changes of use trigger UP Review Table 23.204-20 and notes for thresholds and exceptions.
ES-R Panoramic Hill intensification Small additions/bedrooms can be “intensification” requiring heightened findings Read 23.202.070.E–H for plan requirement, height increases, and intensification findings.
Mixed-use near industrial (MU-R) Residential near M/MM can require UP and disclosure of industrial impacts See 23.206.090.B.8 and related findings.
Subarea height and frontage rules (C-SA, C-AC) Height/story and “Active Commercial” frontage obligations vary by subarea Use district maps/tables (C-SA Tables 23.204-28 to -30; C-AC Table 23.204-43).
Overlay precedence Overlays supersede base district rules Confirm any H overlay limitations and Civic Center overlay provisions (23.210).

Plain-English Summary

Berkeley’s zoning tells you what land uses are allowed on your lot and what approvals you need. Start by finding your zoning and any overlays, then look up your use in the allowed-use table for that district to see if it’s a ZC, AUP, or UP(PH). Next, confirm height, setbacks, and lot coverage in the district’s standards and Chapter 23.304. Some areas (University Avenue, Elmwood, Southside, Adeline, West Berkeley) add extra rules such as ground-floor “active commercial,” shop-size caps, or mixed-use thresholds. Finally, check citywide rules (outdoor uses, live entertainment, cannabis, loading) and whether design review applies before you design or lease.

Source References

  • Title 23 scope and applicability; design review intent (23.102.040–.050).
  • Zoning Map and districts (23.108.020–.030).
  • Residential districts and allowed uses (23.202; Table 23.202-1).
  • R-1 through R-5, R‑S, R‑SMU district purposes and standards (23.202.050–.140; associated tables).
  • Commercial districts and allowed uses (23.204; Table 23.204-1).
  • Commercial “change of use” and “new floor area” thresholds (23.204.030; Table 23.204-2).
  • C‑C, C‑U, C‑N, C‑E, C‑NS, C‑SA, C‑T, C‑SO, C‑DMU, C‑W, C‑AC district rules and findings (23.204.050–.150; cited above).
  • Manufacturing districts (23.206; MU‑LI/MU‑R details; MM standards).
  • Overlay zones; Hillside Overlay precedence and limitations (23.210).
  • Supplemental use regulations (23.302); cannabis (23.320); parking/loading (23.322).

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Berkeley Zoning Code High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Chapter 16.18) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Chapter Purpose) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 1566.3) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.202.070.A) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.406.040) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Chapter Purpose) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.202.030.A) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.206.030) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Chapter 23.502) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (section is) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.206.030) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.206.100) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.202.030) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.202.030.A) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.202.030) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.202.030.A) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.306) High relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.202.140.A) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.202.030) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.204.030) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.406.040) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.406.040) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Chapter Purpose) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.406.040) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.204.100.A) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.204.030) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.310) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code (Section 23.206.030) Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Berkeley Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R-1 lot in Berkeley?

R-1 primarily supports single-family homes; community facilities may be allowed by permit. Typical dimensional standards include a 5,000 sq ft minimum lot, 20 ft front and rear setbacks, 28 ft/3‑story height (AUP to 35 ft), and 40% lot coverage (Table 23.202-2). Check Table 23.202-1 for allowed uses and permit tiers.

Are apartments allowed in the R-3 and R-5 districts?

Yes. R-3 allows multifamily housing with height up to 35 ft/3 stories and 200 sq ft of open space per unit; R-5 allows higher intensity (40 ft/4 stories by right; up to 65 ft/6 stories with a Use Permit) with 100 sq ft open space per unit (Tables 23.202-11 to -19).

Can I do ground-floor residential on University Avenue?

Ground-floor residential in the C-U district requires a Use Permit, and in the University Avenue Node, new residential must be part of a mixed-use development (23.204.060.B–D). See C-U development and open-space tables for frontage requirements.

How does Elmwood (C-E) limit store types and sizes?

C-E caps the number and size of particular uses (e.g., total food service and shop size limits) shown in Table 23.204-20; development standards split by non-residential/mixed-use vs residential-only (Tables 23.204-21 to -23). Some changes of use over 3,000 sq ft require a Use Permit.

What permits do I need to add floor area to a commercial space?

It depends on the district and square footage. For example, in C-C/C-U, less than 5,000 sq ft = ZC; 5,000+ sq ft = UP(PH). Other districts differ (e.g., any new floor area in C-N/C-E/C-SO = UP(PH)). See Table 23.204-2.

Are live music and outdoor service areas allowed?

Often yes, but permit tiers vary by district. For instance, in C-N/C-NS/C-W, amplified live entertainment typically needs a UP(PH) while unamplified is ZC (Table 23.302-2). Outdoor uses (e.g., exterior ATMs, outdoor storage) usually need AUP or UP(PH) per Table 23.302-3.

What if my commercial project is in South Shattuck/Adeline (C-SA)?

C-SA has subarea-specific heights (up to 60 ft/5 stories for mixed-use) and special mixed-use thresholds (ZC possible if entirely residential above ground floor and <5,000 sq ft; otherwise UP). See Tables 23.204-28 to -30 and 23.204.100.B–E.

Can I build housing near industrial uses in West Berkeley?

In MU-R, residential near M/MM may require a Use Permit and recorded acknowledgment of industrial impacts. The City must find the residential use won’t unreasonably conflict with adjacent industry (23.206.090.B.8–9).

Does an ADU change my land use status?

ADUs are allowed under 23.306 and are referenced in residential use tables. They’re a separate by-right track under state law—see our Berkeley ADUs page and Table 23.202-1 for cross-references.

Where do overlay zones change what I can do?

Overlays like the Hillside (H) overlay can restrict height or disallow certain multi-dwelling configurations (e.g., multiple dwellings on one R-2/H property are not permitted). Overlay requirements control when they conflict with base zoning (23.210.010–.020). ---

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