Richmond · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Richmond?
In Richmond, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 9 base zones (T4N, T4N-O, T4MS, T4MS-O, T5N and 4 more), needs a conditional use permit in 10 (RH, RL1, RL2, RM1, RM2 and 5 more) and not allowed in 3 (Richmond use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: T4N, T4N-O, T4MS, T4MS-O, T5N, T5MS, T5MS-O, T5C and 1 more
- Needs a permit: RH, RL1, RL2, RM1, RM2, CM-3, CM-4, CM-5 and 2 more
- Not allowed: CM-2, LW and CG
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Richmond 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
Richmond's code calls this use “Community Assembly”. 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 “Community Assembly”: “A facility for public or private meetings, including community centers, banquet centers, youth centers, senior centers, religious assembly facilities, civic and private auditoriums, union halls, meeting halls for clubs, and other membership organizat” (§ 15.04.104.020)
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| T4N | Allowed | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T4N-O | Allowed | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T4MS | Allowed | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T4MS-O | Allowed | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T5N | Allowed | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T5MS | Allowed | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T5MS-O | Allowed | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T5C | Allowed | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T5C-O | Allowed | § 15.04.402.070 |
| RH | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.04.201.020 |
| RL1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.04.201.020 |
| RL2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.04.201.020 |
| RM1 Medium Density Multi-family Residential | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.04.201.020 |
| RM2 High Density Multi-Family Residential | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.04.201.020 |
| CM-3 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.04.202.020 |
| CM-4 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.04.202.020 |
| CM-5 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.04.202.020 |
| CR | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.04.203.020 |
| CC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 15.04.203.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 15.04.610.140 Community Assembly (section not in packet).
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: Key Terms and Definitions (Article 15.04.104) are not in the packet: Community Assembly, Schools, Group Residential, Outdoor Agriculture, Residential Care Limited vs General; Section 15.04.610 use standards (emergency shelters, day care center, community garden, group residential) are not in the packet; LW (Live-Work) cells of the 'Schools' row are blank in S2; Richmond Bay Specific Plan area and the Interim Study (IS) overlay uses (S10-S12 overlays). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Richmond
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RH zone in Richmond?
Only with a conditional use permit. Richmond's use table lists it that way in RH (§ 15.04.201.020).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the CM-2 zone in Richmond?
No. Richmond's use table does not allow it in CM-2 (§ 15.04.202.020).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the T4N zone in Richmond?
Yes. Richmond's use table lists it as allowed in T4N (§ 15.04.402.070).
General information, not legal advice.
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