Burlingame · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Burlingame?
In Burlingame, a church or other place of worship is needs a conditional use permit in 11 (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, C-1 and 6 more, 5 with a condition) and not allowed in 7 (Burlingame use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, C-1, I-I, CMU, RRMU and 3 more
- Not allowed: BFC, BRMU, BAC, CAC, CAR, DAC and MMU
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Burlingame 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
Burlingame's code calls this use “Religious Assembly Facility”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| R-1 Low Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| R-2 Medium Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| R-3 Medium/High Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| R-4 High Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| C-1 General Commercial | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| I-I Innovation Industrial | Needs a conditional use permit | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| CMU California Drive Mixed-Use | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Specific Use Regulations: SFO Safety Compatibility Zone 2: Facilities seating more than 300 people not allowed. | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| RRMU North Rollins Road Mixed-Use | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Specific Use Regulations: SFO Safety Compatibility Zone 2: Facilities seating more than 300 people not allowed. | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| NBMU North Burlingame Mixed-Use | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Specific Use Regulations: SFO Safety Compatibility Zone 2: Facilities seating more than 300 people not allowed. | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| BMU Bayswater Mixed-Use | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Specific Use Regulations: Incidental uses such as instruction and temporary homeless shelters allowed. | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| HMU Howard Mixed-Use | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Specific Use Regulations: Incidental uses such as instruction and temporary homeless shelters allowed. | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- 'Community Assembly Facility' is a separate row (not used).
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Overlay zones and specific plans can change the answer for a lot.
Other uses in Burlingame
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the R-1 zone in Burlingame?
Only with a conditional use permit. Burlingame's use table lists it that way in R-1 (Low Density Residential) (Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the BFC zone in Burlingame?
No. Burlingame's use table does not allow it in BFC (Bayfront Commercial) (Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a church or other place of worship at an address in Burlingame
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