San Jose · Land use · Rooming or boarding house
Where is a rooming or boarding house allowed in San Jose?
In San Jose, a rooming or boarding house is needs a permit in 12 (CP, CN, CG, UVC, UV and 7 more, 3 with a condition) and not allowed in 2 (San Jose use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: CP, CN, CG, UVC, UV, MUC, MUN, UR and 4 more
- Not allowed: CO and PQP
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 a rooming or boarding house can go
San Jose's code calls this use “Single room occupancy (SRO) hotel”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CP | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| CN | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| CG | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| UVC | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| UV | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| MUC | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| MUN | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| UR | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| TR | Needs a conditional use permit | USES ALLOWED |
| DC | Needs a special use permit — see note Note 12: Transitional Housing may be allowed as any residential housing type using the permit process for such housing type. Note e: [Applies only inside the Downtown Active Use Area] A residential pedestrian entry portal not exceeding 25 feet in length is permitted in the Ground Floor Active Use Area. | USES ALLOWED |
| DC-NT1 | Needs a special use permit — see note Note 12: Transitional Housing may be allowed as any residential housing type using the permit process for such housing type. Note e: [Applies only inside the Downtown Active Use Area] A residential pedestrian entry portal not exceeding 25 feet in length is permitted in the Ground Floor Active Use Area. | USES ALLOWED |
| MS-C | Needs a conditional use permit — 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
- Standards for this use: Part 15, Chapter 20.80 (cited in notes column); text not in supplied sections.
- "Single room occupancy (SRO) living unit facility" is a separate row: S2 R-M C (others -); S3 CP, CN, CG C (CO, PQP -); S5 MUC C (others -); S6 SGP; S7 MS-C C. Part 15, Chapter 20.80 governs both.
- 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 a rooming or boarding house in the CP zone in San Jose?
Only with a conditional use permit. San Jose's use table lists it that way in CP (USES ALLOWED).
Can I have a rooming or boarding house in the CO zone in San Jose?
No. San Jose's use table does not allow it in CO (USES ALLOWED).
General information, not legal advice.
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