Richmond · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Richmond?
In Richmond, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 16 base zones (RM1, RM2, CM-1, CM-2, CM-3 and 11 more, 12 with a condition), needs a permit in 2 (RH and T5C-O, all with a condition) and not allowed in 5 (Richmond use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RM1, RM2, CM-1, CM-2, CM-3, CM-4, CM-5, CR and 8 more
- Needs a permit: RH and T5C-O
- Not allowed: RL1, RL2, LW, CG and CC
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 an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Richmond's code calls this use “Multi-Unit Dwelling / Multi-Unit 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RM1 Medium Density Multi-family Residential | Allowed | § 15.04.201.020 |
| RM2 High Density Multi-Family Residential | Allowed | § 15.04.201.020 |
| CM-1 | Allowed | § 15.04.202.020 |
| CM-2 | Allowed — see note Note L1: Permitted above the ground floor or behind an allowed ground floor use, but not within the Industrial Buffer Zone shown on the Zoning Map. | § 15.04.202.020 |
| CM-3 | Allowed | § 15.04.202.020 |
| CM-4 | Allowed — see note Note L1: Permitted above the ground floor or behind an allowed ground floor use, but not within the Industrial Buffer Zone shown on the Zoning Map. | § 15.04.202.020 |
| CM-5 | Allowed — see note Note L1: Permitted above the ground floor or behind an allowed ground floor use, but not within the Industrial Buffer Zone shown on the Zoning Map. | § 15.04.202.020 |
| CR | Allowed — see note Note L6: Permitted above the ground floor or behind an allowed ground floor use, otherwise, a conditional use permit is required. | § 15.04.203.020 |
| T4N | Allowed — see note Note 4: May be a stand-alone use or a component of a mixed-use project. | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T4N-O | Allowed — see note Note 4: May be a stand-alone use or a component of a mixed-use project. | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T4MS | Allowed — see note Note 2: Use classification for use on upper floor(s) or behind an allowed ground-floor use. Note 4: May be a stand-alone use or a component of a mixed-use project. | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T4MS-O | Allowed — see note Note 4: May be a stand-alone use or a component of a mixed-use project. | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T5N | Allowed — see note Note 4: May be a stand-alone use or a component of a mixed-use project. | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T5MS | Allowed — see note Note 2: Use classification for use on upper floor(s) or behind an allowed ground-floor use. Note 4: May be a stand-alone use or a component of a mixed-use project. | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T5MS-O | Allowed — see note Note 4: May be a stand-alone use or a component of a mixed-use project. | § 15.04.402.070 |
| T5C | Allowed — see note Note 2: Use classification for use on upper floor(s) or behind an allowed ground-floor use. Note 4: May be a stand-alone use or a component of a mixed-use project. | § 15.04.402.070 |
| RH | Needs a conditional use permit (up to 10 units, neighborhood mixed-use development at a neighborhood node) — see note Note L8: Up to 10 units allowed with a conditional use permit in a neighborhood mixed-use development at a neighborhood node. | § 15.04.201.020 |
| T5C-O | Needs an administrative use permit (ground floor) / permitted upper floors — see note Note 3: Classification for use on ground-floor where non-residential or "active use" required as indicated in 15.04.101.070 (Official Zoning Map) / Classification for use on upper floor or behind an allowed ground-floor use. Note 4: May be a stand-alone use or a component of a mixed-use project. | § 15.04.402.070 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- 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: 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 an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RH zone in Richmond?
Only with a conditional use permit (up to 10 units, neighborhood mixed-use development at a neighborhood node). Richmond's use table lists it that way in RH (§ 15.04.201.020). The code adds a condition: “Up to 10 units allowed with a conditional use permit in a neighborhood mixed-use development at a neighborhood node.”
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RL1 zone in Richmond?
No. Richmond's use table does not allow it in RL1 (§ 15.04.201.020).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RM1 zone in Richmond?
Yes. Richmond's use table lists it as allowed in RM1 (Medium Density Multi-family Residential) (§ 15.04.201.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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