Santa Clara County · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Santa Clara County?
In Santa Clara County, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is needs a permit in 7 (R1S, R3S, R3, CN, CG and 2 more, 6 with a condition) and not allowed in 13 (Santa Clara County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: R1S, R3S, R3, CN, CG, OA and A1
- Not allowed: A, AR, HS, RR, R1, R1E, RHS, R2 and 5 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 apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Santa Clara County's code calls this use “Multifamily / Multi-Family”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| R1S | Needs an architecture and site approval (asa) — see note Note 11: Development on parcels with the -os designator is restricted to multi-family housing and limited mixed-use residential development, shall conform with the provisions of Chapter 3.75, and is allowable by ASA or planning clearance pursuant to § 3.75.040. | § 2.30.020 |
| R3S | Needs an architecture and site approval (asa) — see note Note 11: Development on parcels with the -os designator is restricted to multi-family housing and limited mixed-use residential development, shall conform with the provisions of Chapter 3.75, and is allowable by ASA or planning clearance pursuant to § 3.75.040. | § 2.30.020 |
| R3 | Needs an architecture and site approval (asa) — see note Note 11: Development on parcels with the -os designator is restricted to multi-family housing and limited mixed-use residential development, shall conform with the provisions of Chapter 3.75, and is allowable by ASA or planning clearance pursuant to § 3.75.040. | § 2.30.020 |
| CN | Needs an use permit and architecture and site approval — see note Note 5: Commercial/residential mixed uses are permitted in CN and CG districts subject to use permit and ASA. Note 12: Development on parcels with the -os designator is restricted to multi-family housing and limited mixed-use residential development, shall conform with the provisions of Chapter 3.75, and is allowable by use permit or planning clearance pursuant to § 3.75.040. | § 2.40.020 |
| CG | Needs an use permit and architecture and site approval — see note Note 5: Commercial/residential mixed uses are permitted in CN and CG districts subject to use permit and ASA. Note 12: Development on parcels with the -os designator is restricted to multi-family housing and limited mixed-use residential development, shall conform with the provisions of Chapter 3.75, and is allowable by use permit or planning clearance pursuant to § 3.75.040. | § 2.40.020 |
| OA | Needs an use permit and architecture and site approval | § 2.40.020 |
| A1 | Needs an use permit and architecture and site approval — see note Note 23: Development on parcels with the -os designator is restricted to multi-family housing and limited mixed-use residential development, shall conform with the provisions of Chapter 3.75, and is allowable by use permit or planning clearance pursuant to § 3.75.040. | § 2.50.020 |
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: 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 apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R1S zone in Santa Clara County?
Only with an architecture and site approval (asa). Santa Clara County's use table lists it that way in R1S (§ 2.30.020). The code adds a condition: “Development on parcels with the -os designator is restricted to multi-family housing and limited mixed-use residential development, shall conform with the provisions of Chapter 3.75, and is allowable by ASA or…”
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) 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).
General information, not legal advice.
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