Santa Clara County · Land use · Emergency shelter
Where is an emergency shelter allowed in Santa Clara County?
In Santa Clara County, an emergency shelter is allowed in 9 base zones (RR, R3, CN, CG, OA and 4 more) and not allowed in 11 (Santa Clara County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RR, R3, CN, CG, OA, ML, MH, A1 and 1 more
- Not allowed: A, AR, HS, R1, R1E, RHS, R1S, R3S and 3 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Santa Clara County 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 emergency shelter can go
Santa Clara County's code calls this use “Emergency Shelters: Small-Scale”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RR Rural Residential | Allowed | § 2.20.020 |
| R3 | Allowed | § 2.30.020 |
| CN | Allowed | § 2.40.020 |
| CG | Allowed | § 2.40.020 |
| OA | Allowed | § 2.40.020 |
| ML | Allowed | § 2.40.020 |
| MH | Allowed | § 2.40.020 |
| A1 | Allowed | § 2.50.020 |
| RS | Allowed | § 2.50.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 4.10.115 Emergency shelters.
- Large-Scale emergency shelters need a use permit with ASA (U) in RR (only within the -sm San Martin combining district, S3 note 20), R3, CN, CG, OA, ML, MH and A1; not allowed elsewhere. Small-scale vs large-scale is not defined in the packet. Small-scale shelters ancillary to an established religious or nonprofit institution are allowed by right.
- State law: State law (Gov. Code § 65583, SB 2) requires every city to allow emergency shelters by right in at least one zone.
- Not covered here: Combining districts (-os, -sm, -h, -bw, -d1, -d2 etc.) can change allowed uses; Chapter 2.10 use classification definitions are not in the packet; Other base districts of the county outside Chapters 2.20-2.50, if any. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Santa Clara County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an emergency shelter in the A zone in Santa Clara County?
No. Santa Clara County's use table does not allow it in A (Exclusive Agriculture) (§ 2.20.020).
Can I have an emergency shelter in the RR zone in Santa Clara County?
Yes. Santa Clara County's use table lists it as allowed in RR (Rural Residential) (§ 2.20.020).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about an emergency shelter at an address in Santa Clara County
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question