Gilroy · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Gilroy?
In Gilroy, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 14 base zones (RR, R1, R2, R3, R4 and 9 more, 1 with a condition) and needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) in 3 (CM, CI and M1) (Gilroy use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RR, R1, R2, R3, R4, RH, PO, C1 and 6 more
- Needs a permit: CM, CI and M1
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Gilroy 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
Gilroy's code calls this use “Religious Institution”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RR Rural Residential District | Allowed | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R1 Single-Family Residential District | Allowed | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R2 Two (2) Family Residential District | Allowed | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R3 Medium Density Residential District | Allowed | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| R4 High Density Residential District | Allowed | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| RH Residential Hillside District | Allowed | Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES |
| PO Professional Office | Allowed | § 30.19.10 |
| C1 Neighborhood Commercial | Allowed | § 30.19.10 |
| C3 Shopping Center Commercial | Allowed | § 30.19.10 |
| DHD Downtown Historic District | Allowed — see note Note 4: These uses are unconditionally permitted on the second story and above. Any time these uses are proposed for the ground level or first floor (sidewalk level), a conditional use permit is required. Residential units in these zones shall not front on the street. | § 30.19.10 |
| DED Downtown Expansion District | Allowed | § 30.19.10 |
| TD Transitional District | Allowed | § 30.19.10 |
| CD Cannery District | Allowed | § 30.19.10 |
| GD Gateway District | Allowed | § 30.19.10 |
| CM Commercial Industrial | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | § 30.19.10 |
| CI Campus Industrial | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | § 30.23.10 |
| M1 Limited Industrial | Needs a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission) | § 30.23.10 |
What else applies
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: ND (Neighborhood District): residential table shows '*', use per master/specific plan; Hecker Pass and Glen Loma Ranch special use districts: specific-plan tables not in text; OS and PF districts are lists (S24, S25), not tables. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Gilroy
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the CM zone in Gilroy?
Only with a conditional use permit (granted by planning commission). Gilroy's use table lists it that way in CM (Commercial Industrial) (§ 30.19.10).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RR zone in Gilroy?
Yes. Gilroy's use table lists it as allowed in RR (Rural Residential District) (Article XI — RESIDENTIAL USE TABLES).
General information, not legal advice.
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