El Cerrito · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in El Cerrito?
In El Cerrito, a church or other place of worship is needs a permit in 7 (RS, RD, RM, CN, CC and 2 more, 2 with a condition) (El Cerrito use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RS, RD, RM, CN, CC, TOM and PS
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the El Cerrito 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
El Cerrito's code calls this use “Religious Facilities”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RS | Needs a conditional use permit | § 19.06.020 |
| RD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 19.06.020 |
| RM | Needs a conditional use permit | § 19.06.020 |
| CN | Needs a conditional use permit | § 19.07.020 |
| CC | Needs an administrative use permit if under 3,000 sq. ft.; conditional use permit if larger — see note Note Additional Regulations: In TOM and CC, A if <3,000 sq. ft. in size; C if larger. | § 19.07.020 |
| TOM | Needs an administrative use permit if under 3,000 sq. ft.; conditional use permit if larger — see note Note Additional Regulations: In TOM and CC, A if <3,000 sq. ft. in size; C if larger. | § 19.07.020 |
| PS Public and Semipublic District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 19.08.020 |
What else applies
- Not split by size except in CC and TOM (Additional Regulations column).
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan uses (SPASPD). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in El Cerrito
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RS zone in El Cerrito?
Only with a conditional use permit. El Cerrito's use table lists it that way in RS (§ 19.06.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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