El Cajon · Land use · Single-family home
Where is a single-family home allowed in El Cajon?
In El Cajon, a single-family home is allowed in 13 base zones (PRD, RS-40, RS-20, RS-14, RS-9 and 8 more, 12 with a condition) (El Cajon use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: PRD, RS-40, RS-20, RS-14, RS-9, RS-6, RM-6000, RM-4300 and 5 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the El Cajon 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 single-family home can go
El Cajon's code calls this use “Dwelling; single-family detached”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| PRD | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-40 | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-20 | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-14 | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-9 | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-6 | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-6000 | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-4300 | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-2500 | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-2200 | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-1450 | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-HR | Allowed — see note Note 2: Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements. | § 17.140.210 |
| O-S Open Space | Allowed | § 17.155.020 |
What else applies
- Separate row "Dwellings; up to three detached single-family homes on the same lot, including common interest developments": P in RM-6000 only (note 2).
- State law: State law lets most single-family lots add an ADU and a JADU (California ADU law) and a second home or a lot split under SB 9 (Gov. Code § 65852.21).
- Not covered here: Specific plan zones (SP 182, SP 462, SP 32 etc.); M-U overlay adds residential to underlying zones (S3/S4). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in El Cajon
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a single-family home in the PRD zone in El Cajon?
Yes, with a condition. El Cajon's use table lists it as allowed in PRD (§ 17.140.210). The code adds a condition: “Subject to section 17.125.110 common interests developments. See Chapter 17.165 for PRD requirements. See Chapter 17.60 for PUD requirements.”
General information, not legal advice.
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