San Jose · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in San Jose?
In San Jose, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 7 base zones (R-M, UV, MUC, MUN, UR and 2 more, all with a condition) and not allowed in 4 (San Jose use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R-M, UV, MUC, MUN, UR, TR and MS-C
- Not allowed: R-1, R-2, R-MH and UVC
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 an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
San Jose's code calls this use “Multiple dwelling / Residential, multiple dwelling / Multiple 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 |
|---|---|---|
| R-M | Allowed — see note Note 10: May be used as Transitional Housing. Supportive housing and transitional housing shall be subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type within the same zone. | USES ALLOWED |
| UV | Allowed — see note Note 20: Permanent supportive housing is a permitted use as mixed use or residential-only development. For information regarding the Ministerial Approval process, refer to Chapter 20.195 for more information. Note 25: May be used as Transitional Housing. | USES ALLOWED |
| MUC | Allowed — see note Note 20: Permanent supportive housing is a permitted use as mixed use or residential-only development. For information regarding the Ministerial Approval process, refer to Chapter 20.195 for more information. Note 25: May be used as Transitional Housing. | USES ALLOWED |
| MUN | Allowed — see note Note 20: Permanent supportive housing is a permitted use as mixed use or residential-only development. For information regarding the Ministerial Approval process, refer to Chapter 20.195 for more information. Note 25: May be used as Transitional Housing. | USES ALLOWED |
| UR | Allowed — see note Note 20: Permanent supportive housing is a permitted use as mixed use or residential-only development. For information regarding the Ministerial Approval process, refer to Chapter 20.195 for more information. Note 25: May be used as Transitional Housing. | USES ALLOWED |
| TR | Allowed — see note Note 20: Permanent supportive housing is a permitted use as mixed use or residential-only development. For information regarding the Ministerial Approval process, refer to Chapter 20.195 for more information. Note 25: May be used as Transitional Housing. | USES ALLOWED |
| MS-C | Allowed — see note Note 13: Transitional Housing is allowed as any residential housing type and must follow the permit process for such residential housing type. | USE REGULATIONS |
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: 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 an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R-1 zone in San Jose?
No. San Jose's use table does not allow it in R-1 (USES ALLOWED).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R-M zone in San Jose?
Yes, with a condition. San Jose's use table lists it as allowed in R-M (USES ALLOWED). The code adds a condition: “May be used as Transitional Housing. Supportive housing and transitional housing shall be subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type within the same zone.”
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about an apartment building (multifamily housing) at an address in San Jose
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question