Fresno · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Fresno?
In Fresno, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 21 base zones (RS-2, RS-3, RS-4, RS-5, RM-1 and 16 more, 1 with a condition), needs a conditional use permit in 1 (OS, it with a condition) and not allowed in 5 (Fresno use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RS-2, RS-3, RS-4, RS-5, RM-1, RM-2, RM-3, RM-MH and 13 more
- Needs a permit: OS
- Not allowed: RE, RS-1, CH, CRC and IH
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Fresno 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
Fresno's code calls this use “Community and Religious Assembly (less than 2,000 square feet)”. 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-2 Residential Single-Unit 2 | Allowed | § 15-902 |
| RS-3 Residential Single-Unit 3 | Allowed | § 15-902 |
| RS-4 Residential Single-Unit 4 | Allowed | § 15-902 |
| RS-5 Residential Single-Unit 5 | Allowed | § 15-902 |
| RM-1 Residential Multi-Unit District | Allowed | § 15-1002 |
| RM-2 Residential Multi-Unit District | Allowed | § 15-1002 |
| RM-3 Residential Multi-Unit District | Allowed | § 15-1002 |
| RM-MH Residential Multi-Unit District | Allowed | § 15-1002 |
| NMX | Allowed | § 15-1102 |
| CMX | Allowed | § 15-1102 |
| RMX | Allowed | § 15-1102 |
| CMS | Allowed | § 15-1202 |
| CC | Allowed | § 15-1202 |
| CR | Allowed | § 15-1202 |
| CG | Allowed | § 15-1202 |
| O | Allowed | § 15-1302 |
| BP | Allowed | § 15-1302 |
| RBP | Allowed | § 15-1302 |
| IL | Allowed | § 15-1302 |
| PR | Allowed — see note Note 1: Limited to facilities associated with park and recreation facilities. | § 15-1402 |
| PI | Allowed | § 15-1402 |
| OS | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 1: Limited to facilities associated with park and recreation facilities. | § 15-1402 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 15-2719 Community and Religious Assembly Facilities.
- Row 'Community and Religious Assembly (2,000 square feet or more)': RE -, RS-1 -, RS-2..RS-5 C; RM-1/2/3 C(1), RM-MH -; NMX/CMX/RMX P; CMS -, CC C(4), CR P, CG C, CH -, CRC C; O P, BP/RBP/IL P(14), IH -; OS -, PR P(1), PI P. Downtown districts vary by Activity Class (A/B/C, map Figure 15-1501) and are left out where classes differ: DTN A/B/C: P(1)/P/P; DTG A/B/C: P(1)/P/P; DTC A/B/C: P(1)/P/P.
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: Overlay districts and Part II articles other than Articles 8-15 are not in the text; Downtown cells omitted where Activity Class A/B/C differ. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Fresno
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the OS zone in Fresno?
Only with a conditional use permit. Fresno's use table lists it that way in OS (§ 15-1402). The code adds a condition: “Limited to facilities associated with park and recreation facilities.”
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RE zone in Fresno?
No. Fresno's use table does not allow it in RE (Residential Estate) (§ 15-902).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RS-2 zone in Fresno?
Yes. Fresno's use table lists it as allowed in RS-2 (Residential Single-Unit 2) (§ 15-902).
General information, not legal advice.
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