Pacific Grove · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Pacific Grove?
In Pacific Grove, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 7 base zones (C-1, C-1-T, C-D, C-FH, C-2 and 2 more, 6 with a condition) (Pacific Grove use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: C-1, C-1-T, C-D, C-FH, C-2, C-V and I
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Pacific Grove 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
Pacific Grove's code calls this use “Meeting facility, public or private ( < 10,000 sf)”. 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.
The code defines “Meeting Facility”: “a facility for public or private meetings, including churches and other religious facilities, Grange halls, union halls, and meeting halls for clubs, fraternal organizations, and other membership organizations. Also includes functionally related inte” (§ 23.08.020)
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| C-1 Light Commercial | Allowed — see note Note 2: The permit type specified in this table applies to any new or enlarged commercial use which totals 10,000 square feet or less of interior floor space. An administrative use permit is required for any new or enlarged commercial use which results in either the use of more than one structure on a building site or a total of more than 10,000 square feet of interior floor space. A use permit is required where any new or enlarged commercial use exceeds 25,000 square feet in interior floor space. | § 23.31.030 |
| C-1-T Light Commercial and Hotel | Allowed — see note Note 2: The permit type specified in this table applies to any new or enlarged commercial use which totals 10,000 square feet or less of interior floor space. An administrative use permit is required for any new or enlarged commercial use which results in either the use of more than one structure on a building site or a total of more than 10,000 square feet of interior floor space. A use permit is required where any new or enlarged commercial use exceeds 25,000 square feet in interior floor space. | § 23.31.030 |
| C-D Downtown Commercial | Allowed — see note Note 2: The permit type specified in this table applies to any new or enlarged commercial use which totals 10,000 square feet or less of interior floor space. An administrative use permit is required for any new or enlarged commercial use which results in either the use of more than one structure on a building site or a total of more than 10,000 square feet of interior floor space. A use permit is required where any new or enlarged commercial use exceeds 25,000 square feet in interior floor space. | § 23.31.030 |
| C-FH Forest Hill Commercial | Allowed — see note Note 2: The permit type specified in this table applies to any new or enlarged commercial use which totals 10,000 square feet or less of interior floor space. An administrative use permit is required for any new or enlarged commercial use which results in either the use of more than one structure on a building site or a total of more than 10,000 square feet of interior floor space. A use permit is required where any new or enlarged commercial use exceeds 25,000 square feet in interior floor space. | § 23.31.030 |
| C-2 Heavy Commercial | Allowed — see note Note 3: A use permit is required for any new building or addition which adds more than 25,000 square feet of interior floor space or which results in a building having more than 40 feet in height. | § 23.31.030 |
| C-V Visitor Commercial | Allowed | § 23.31.030 |
| I Restricted Industrial | Allowed — see note Note 3: A use permit is required for any new building or addition which adds more than 25,000 square feet of interior floor space or which results in a building having more than 40 feet in height. | § 23.31.030 |
What else applies
- A second broad row "Meeting halls or places of assembly" (under Retail, "except the following") is P in C-1, C-FH, C-2, C-V, I and — in C-1-T and C-D (S7). Check the definition before use.
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: O, U, M-H and PUD districts have no use-by-use list; Residential zone names are not stated in the packet; R-1 narrative list does not say unlisted uses are prohibited, so no "no" cells are given for residential districts. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Pacific Grove
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the C-1 zone in Pacific Grove?
Yes, with a condition. Pacific Grove's use table lists it as allowed in C-1 (Light Commercial) (§ 23.31.030). The code adds a condition: “The permit type specified in this table applies to any new or enlarged commercial use which totals 10,000 square feet or less of interior floor space. An administrative use permit is required for any new or enlarged…”
General information, not legal advice.
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