El Dorado County · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in El Dorado County?
In El Dorado County, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 3 base zones (CM, CC and MAP-1 (Center)), needs a conditional use permit in 15 (RL, FR, CPO, CL, CG and 10 more) and not allowed in 10 (El Dorado County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: CM, CC and MAP-1 (Center)
- Needs a permit: RL, FR, CPO, CL, CG, CRU, R&D, RM and 7 more
- Not allowed: LA, PA, AG, TPZ, CR, IL, IH, MAP-2 (Ind) and 2 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the El Dorado County 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 Dorado County's code calls this use “Churches and 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.
Zones where it is not allowed
LA, PA, AG, TPZ, CR, IL, IH, MAP-2 (Ind), MAP-4 (Rec), MAP-5 (River).
What else applies
- Commercial table splits Indoor (used) and Outdoor (CPO CUP, CL CUP, CM CUP, CC CUP, CR CUP, CG —, CRU CUP). Industrial row is Indoor Only.
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: Cell tables for uses not listed in a zone's table are absent by design (unlisted = not allowed). Home occupation, wineries, ranch marketing, WECS and mineral tables are cross-references, not read.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in El Dorado County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RL zone in El Dorado County?
Only with a conditional use permit. El Dorado County's use table lists it that way in RL (Rural Lands) (Article 2 — ZONES, ALLOWED USES, AND ZONING STANDARDS).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the LA zone in El Dorado County?
No. El Dorado County's use table does not allow it in LA (Limited Agricultural) (Article 2 — ZONES, ALLOWED USES, AND ZONING STANDARDS).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the CM zone in El Dorado County?
Yes. El Dorado County's use table lists it as allowed in CM (Commercial, Main Street) (Article 2 — ZONES, ALLOWED USES, AND ZONING STANDARDS).
General information, not legal advice.
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