Pacific Grove · Land use · Community garden
Where is a community garden allowed in Pacific Grove?
In Pacific Grove, a community garden is needs an administrative use permit in 6 (C-1, C-1-T, C-D, C-FH, C-2 and 1 more, all with a condition) and not allowed in 1 (Pacific Grove use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: C-1, C-1-T, C-D, C-FH, C-2 and C-V
- Not allowed: 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 community garden can go
Pacific Grove's code calls this use “Community garden”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C-1 Light Commercial | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 5: Community gardens on vacant lots may be permitted by administrative use permit, pursuant to PGMC § 23.70.030(b)(7) , and shall be reviewable every six months and subject to such conditions as the administrative use permit may prescribe. The application shall be accompanied by a written agreement by the owner to grant the city a lien for any cost incurred by the city in restoring such property to its condition prior to such use, in the event the owner fails to make such restoration after such use ceases. | § 23.31.030 |
| C-1-T Light Commercial and Hotel | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 5: Community gardens on vacant lots may be permitted by administrative use permit, pursuant to PGMC § 23.70.030(b)(7) , and shall be reviewable every six months and subject to such conditions as the administrative use permit may prescribe. The application shall be accompanied by a written agreement by the owner to grant the city a lien for any cost incurred by the city in restoring such property to its condition prior to such use, in the event the owner fails to make such restoration after such use ceases. | § 23.31.030 |
| C-D Downtown Commercial | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 5: Community gardens on vacant lots may be permitted by administrative use permit, pursuant to PGMC § 23.70.030(b)(7) , and shall be reviewable every six months and subject to such conditions as the administrative use permit may prescribe. The application shall be accompanied by a written agreement by the owner to grant the city a lien for any cost incurred by the city in restoring such property to its condition prior to such use, in the event the owner fails to make such restoration after such use ceases. | § 23.31.030 |
| C-FH Forest Hill Commercial | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 5: Community gardens on vacant lots may be permitted by administrative use permit, pursuant to PGMC § 23.70.030(b)(7) , and shall be reviewable every six months and subject to such conditions as the administrative use permit may prescribe. The application shall be accompanied by a written agreement by the owner to grant the city a lien for any cost incurred by the city in restoring such property to its condition prior to such use, in the event the owner fails to make such restoration after such use ceases. | § 23.31.030 |
| C-2 Heavy Commercial | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 5: Community gardens on vacant lots may be permitted by administrative use permit, pursuant to PGMC § 23.70.030(b)(7) , and shall be reviewable every six months and subject to such conditions as the administrative use permit may prescribe. The application shall be accompanied by a written agreement by the owner to grant the city a lien for any cost incurred by the city in restoring such property to its condition prior to such use, in the event the owner fails to make such restoration after such use ceases. | § 23.31.030 |
| C-V Visitor Commercial | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note 5: Community gardens on vacant lots may be permitted by administrative use permit, pursuant to PGMC § 23.70.030(b)(7) , and shall be reviewable every six months and subject to such conditions as the administrative use permit may prescribe. The application shall be accompanied by a written agreement by the owner to grant the city a lien for any cost incurred by the city in restoring such property to its condition prior to such use, in the event the owner fails to make such restoration after such use ceases. | § 23.31.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
I.
What else applies
- 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 community garden in the C-1 zone in Pacific Grove?
Only with an administrative use permit. Pacific Grove's use table lists it that way in C-1 (Light Commercial) (§ 23.31.030). The code adds a condition: “Community gardens on vacant lots may be permitted by administrative use permit, pursuant to PGMC § 23.70.030(b)(7) , and shall be reviewable every six months and subject to such conditions as the administrative use…”
Can I have a community garden in the I zone in Pacific Grove?
No. Pacific Grove's use table does not allow it in I (Restricted Industrial) (§ 23.31.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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