Placer County · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Placer County?
In Placer County, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 7 base zones (CPD, C2, MU, C1, RES and 2 more) and needs a minor use permit in 2 (HS and OP) (Placer County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: CPD, C2, MU, C1, RES, RM and RM30
- Needs a permit: HS and OP
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Placer County Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Placer County's code calls this use “Multifamily dwellings”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CPD Commercial planned development | Allowed | Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land |
| C2 General commercial | Allowed | Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land |
| MU Mixed use community | Allowed | Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land |
| C1 Neighborhood commercial | Allowed | Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land |
| RES Resort | Allowed | Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land |
| RM Residential multifamily | Allowed | Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land |
| RM30 Residential Multifamily 30 | Allowed | Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land |
| HS Highway services | Needs a minor use permit | Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land |
| OP Office and professional | Needs a minor use permit | Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land |
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 17.56.135 Mixed-use and multifamily.
- Duplex, triplex or fourplex is a separate row (RS, RM30 only).
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: SPL specific plan areas (use rules are in each specific plan); Combining districts (17.52) can change permits; -UP requires a minor or conditional use permit for all uses in the base zone. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Placer County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the HS zone in Placer County?
Only with a minor use permit. Placer County's use table lists it that way in HS (Highway services) (Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the CPD zone in Placer County?
Yes. Placer County's use table lists it as allowed in CPD (Commercial planned development) (Zone Districts and Allowable Uses of Land).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about an apartment building (multifamily housing) at an address in Placer County
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question