Where is an emergency shelter allowed in Merced County?

Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Merced County Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.

Merced County's code calls this use “Emergency Shelters”. 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.

BP.

• Standards for this use: § 18.60.060 Emergency Shelters.
• State law: State law (Gov. Code § 65583, SB 2) requires every city to allow emergency shelters by right in at least one zone.
• Not covered here: Castle Commerce Center and Airport SPZ (S5) and Fox Hills Community Specific Plan (S6) zones: separate specific-plan tables, not used; Article 8 definitions (Places of Assembly, Farm Animal Keeping/Raising) are not in the packet; Chapters 18.60, 18.12.040, 18.10.040 use standards are not in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.

• Single-family home
• Rooming or boarding house
• Child care center
• Horses and stables
• Private school