San Jose · Land use · Growing crops
Where is growing crops (agriculture) allowed in San Jose?
In San Jose, growing crops (agriculture) is allowed in 22 base zones (A, R-1, R-2, R-M, R-MH and 17 more, 12 with a condition), needs a conditional use permit in 1 (OS, it with a condition) and not allowed in 2 (San Jose use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: A, R-1, R-2, R-M, R-MH, CO, CP, CN and 14 more
- Needs a permit: OS
- Not allowed: TEC and MS-C
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the San Jose Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where growing crops (agriculture) can go
San Jose's code calls this use “Planting, cultivating, growing, harvesting, and drying of crops (S1); Neighborhood agriculture (S2-S7)”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| A Agricultural | Allowed — see note Note 1: The erection, enlargement, structural alteration, or use of any permanent building or structure for any permitted or conditional use in the OS open space district requires the issuance of a conditional use permit, with the exception of certain modifications of existing wireless facilities pursuant to Section 20.80.1915. | USE REGULATIONS |
| R-1 | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| R-2 | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| R-M | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| R-MH | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| CO | Allowed — see note Note 19: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| CP | Allowed — see note Note 19: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| CN | Allowed — see note Note 19: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| CG | Allowed — see note Note 19: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| PQP | Allowed — see note Note 19: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| CIC | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| IP | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| LI | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| HI | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| UVC | Allowed — see note Note 16: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| UV | Allowed — see note Note 16: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| MUC | Allowed — see note Note 16: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| MUN | Allowed — see note Note 16: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| UR | Allowed — see note Note 16: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| TR | Allowed — see note Note 16: Neighborhood agriculture in conformance with this Title is a permitted use that may operate on a site without a permanent building on that site. | USES ALLOWED |
| DC | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| DC-NT1 | Allowed | USES ALLOWED |
| OS Open Space | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 1: The erection, enlargement, structural alteration, or use of any permanent building or structure for any permitted or conditional use in the OS open space district requires the issuance of a conditional use permit, with the exception of certain modifications of existing wireless facilities pursuant to Section 20.80.1915. | USE REGULATIONS |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Neighborhood agriculture rows are urban agriculture (Title 7 / Part 9, Chapter 20.80); definitions not supplied.
- Not covered here: Planned Development (PD) and other zones outside the seven supplied chapters; MS-G cells where the three frontage columns differ. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in San Jose
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have growing crops (agriculture) in the OS zone in San Jose?
Only with a conditional use permit. San Jose's use table lists it that way in OS (Open Space) (USE REGULATIONS). The code adds a condition: “The erection, enlargement, structural alteration, or use of any permanent building or structure for any permitted or conditional use in the OS open space district requires the issuance of a conditional use permit,…”
Can I have growing crops (agriculture) in the TEC zone in San Jose?
No. San Jose's use table does not allow it in TEC (USES ALLOWED).
Can I have growing crops (agriculture) in the A zone in San Jose?
Yes, with a condition. San Jose's use table lists it as allowed in A (Agricultural) (USE REGULATIONS). The code adds a condition: “The erection, enlargement, structural alteration, or use of any permanent building or structure for any permitted or conditional use in the OS open space district requires the issuance of a conditional use permit,…”
General information, not legal advice.
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