Local zoning · Sausalito

Sausalito — Land Use

Q: What can I build on an R-1 lot in Sausalito?

You can build uses listed as P in Table 10.22‑1 for R‑1 : typically single‑family dwellings , accessory residential uses, and small residential accessory structures; dimensional limits (minimum parcel 6,000 sq ft , FAR 0.45 , coverage 35% ) come from the site development table Table 10.22‑2 in § 10.22.040 . Verify exact numeric setbacks and any overlay constraints for your lot .

Q: Do accessory dwelling units (ADUs) require a conditional use permit in Sausalito?

ADUs are governed by SMC § 10.44.080 and are allowed in many zones subject to that section's rules; the ordinance text in the City code excerpts shows ADU allowances and special district limitations (for example, ADUs in CC/CR/CN are allowed only on lots with an existing or proposed dwelling unit) — check § 10.44.080 and applicable district table entries for whether a discretionary permit is needed .

Q: Are there special rules for using property in the Marinship area?

Yes. The -M (Marinship) overlay modifies allowed uses (e.g., limits new office uses to ancillary offices, encourages arts uses), limits marinas and sets specific site standards (including an example 32 ft height limit in some -M areas). See § 10.28.050 and Table 10.28‑1 for overlay specifics; overlay rules apply to every parcel inside the Marinship plan area .

Land Use under the Sausalito local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains what the City of Sausalito's zoning ordinance (Title 10) actually says about land use: which uses are allowed, which require discretionary permits, and where to find the numerical site standards you must follow. For general orientation start at the city's Sausalito zoning & planning overview; the discussion below relies only on the City's Zoning Code excerpts (Title 10) retrieved from the municipal code. All requirements quoted below cite the controlling Sausalito Municipal Code (§) and the retrieved ordinance materials.

How the code is organized (short)

Allowed uses are organized in tables by base zoning district (residential, commercial, industrial, open space/public) and by overlay district; each table entry is marked P, MUP, P-PC, or CUP to show whether the use is permitted, requires a minor use permit, requires Planning Commission review of a zoning permit, or requires a conditional use permit (see § 10.22.030, § 10.24.030, § 10.26.020) .
Development limits (minimum lot size, setbacks, FAR, coverage, height) are given in the City's development standards tables; see the Sausalito Development Standards and the code references cited below (e.g., Table 10.22‑2, Table 10.28‑1) .
Design review and discretionary permits (MUP/CUP) are separate processes: design review is required for new construction and exterior changes per § 10.12.060 ; CUP/MUP procedures are found in Chapters 10.58 and 10.60 (see citations below) .

To comply with site development rules you will also need to check Sausalito Parking, Sausalito Design Review, and the overlay rules at Sausalito Overlay Districts.

District-by-district (decision‑relevant) summary

Below are the principal base districts in Title 10 with the most decision-relevant items spelled out. Each district subsection states the ordinance purpose, typical permitted uses, key numeric/dimensional standards when listed in the code excerpts we retrieved, and where that district typically applies.

Notes on notation used in code tables: P = permitted, MUP = minor use permit, CUP = conditional use permit, P‑PC = permitted but zoning permit reviewed by Planning Commission. See § 10.22.030 and § 10.24.030 for the tables and legend .

Residential districts — R-1, R-2, PR, R-3, H, A

Purpose: Provide for single‑ and multi‑family neighborhoods, with varying allowed densities and forms (single-family, duplexes, townhomes, apartments, arks and houseboats where applicable) per § 10.22.020 and the land‑use table in § 10.22.030 .
Typical permitted uses: Single‑family dwellings, multiple‑family dwellings (where marked P), accessory residential uses, residential care homes (6 or fewer clients) are generally P; certain residential care homes (7+ clients) are CUP; accessory dwelling units are specifically regulated under SMC § 10.44.080 (ADU rules) .
Key numeric standards (from Table 10.22‑2 as summarized in the code): R-1 minimum parcel size = 6,000 sq ft, maximum FAR (R-1) = 0.45, maximum building coverage (R-1) = 35%; other residential subzones show different minima and FARs (see Table 10.22‑2 / § 10.22.040) .
Where it applies: city residential neighborhoods — consult the zoning map and the code's Table 10.22‑1 for parcel‑specific allowances § 10.22.030 .

(Practical note: accessory dwelling units are allowed but are controlled by SMC § 10.44.080 and state ADU law; see the City ADU summary Sausalito ADUs and state ADU rules California ADU law for how local and state rules interact) .

Commercial districts — CC, CR, CN, SC, CW, W, W‑M

Purpose: Provide neighborhood and waterfront commercial uses, commercial‑residential mixes, and shopping centers, with district‑specific limitations (see § 10.24.030) .
Typical permitted uses: The code's Table 10.24‑1 lists uses by district. Examples: retail, personal services, restaurants (restaurants often require CUP in some commercial districts), transient lodging and hotels may be CUP, marine‑related uses (harbor, marina) are specifically addressed and sometimes P or CUP depending on district and marine status § 10.24.030 .
Key restrictions and numbers: New drive‑through fast food facilities are expressly prohibited in all commercial zoning districts (special requirement) and large‑frontage retail is limited (CUP required if >50 ft frontage) per § 10.24.040 . Off‑street parking for commercial uses is regulated under SMC § 10.40.100–10.40.120 (see the City's Sausalito Parking guidance) .
Where it applies: downtown, Bridgeway/Main Street, waterfront commercial strips — check the zoning map and Table 10.24‑1 for parcel‑level rules § 10.24.030 .

Industrial / Marinship — IM and the -M (Marinship) overlay

Purpose: The industrial marinship base district and the -M overlay are intended to preserve low‑impact industrial, marine and art uses and to control commercial growth that would displace industrial/marine activities § 10.26.010 and § 10.28.050 .
Typical permitted uses: Applied arts, industrial arts, certain marine industrial uses; commercial and office uses are tightly limited in the marinship overlay (ancillary offices only, size‑limited restaurants, etc.) per § 10.28.050(D) .
Key numeric standards: many properties in the industrial/marinship area are subject to maximum FAR (commonly cited 0.40 for some IM situations) and special site standards; the Marinship specific Table 10.28‑1 lists site standards (example: maximum height ≈ 32 ft in some -M areas, with specific exceptions) — see § 10.28.050 and Table 10.28‑1 for the precise numbers that apply to a parcel .
Where it applies: the Marinship specific plan area — all properties inside that boundary are subject to the -M overlay rules § 10.28.050(C) .

Open space & public districts — OS, PP, PI, OA

Purpose: Protect public open space, parks, public institution sites, and marine resource areas; allowed uses are largely public or resource‑oriented § 10.20.030–040 .
Typical permitted uses: public safety, public utility facilities (minor = MUP; major = CUP), ferry landings, harbor and marina facilities (with specific CUP requirements) — see Table 10.20‑1 § 10.20.030 .
Where it applies: waterfront parks, public parcels, certain shoreline areas — check the zoning map and Table 10.20‑1.

Housing Opportunities overlay districts — H‑29, H‑49, H‑70, MU‑29, MU‑49, MU‑70

Purpose: Zones intended to encourage housing production at prescribed densities and allow a controlled mix of non‑residential uses; minimum residential densities and mixed‑use rules are spelled out in § 10.28.090 and Table 10.28‑3 .
Typical permitted uses: multi‑family dwellings and a range of residential supportive uses are P; certain non‑residential uses are allowed but mixed use is limited to a percentage of floor area (typically 15% except where existing non‑residential development is grandfathered) § 10.28.090(D) .
Key numeric points: sites with a housing opportunity overlay must develop at a minimum of 20 units per acre (see § 10.28.090(D)(1)) and mixed uses are capped as noted above; consult Table 10.28‑4 for site development standards where applicable .

Quick decision table (most decision‑relevant uses / standards)

Topic	Practical rule or number (summary)	Code Reference
Are ADUs allowed in commercial/residential zones?	ADUs allowed in many districts but subject to SMC § 10.44.080 and district limitations (e.g., CC/CR/CN rules). Verify lot and unit triggers.	§ 10.44.080
R‑1 site standards (example)	Min parcel 6,000 sq ft, FAR 0.45, Coverage 35% (see Table 10.22‑2)	§ 10.22.040 / Table 10.22‑2
Commercial allowed/conditional uses	Use table shows P / MUP / CUP by land‑use type; e.g., restaurants often CUP, retail P/MUP depending on frontage	§ 10.24.030 / Table 10.24‑1
Marinship (-M) overlay constraints	New offices are limited to ancillary office only; marina expansions limited; special FAR/height rules apply (see Table 10.28‑1)	§ 10.28.050 / Table 10.28‑1
Conditional use permit tests	CUP available only where the base district/table lists the use as CUP; Planning Commission must make the findings in § 10.60.050	§ 10.60.020–050
Parking requirements	Off‑street parking rules referenced at SMC § 10.40.100–10.40.120; some commercial parking may require CUP	§ 10.40.100–120 (see table notes)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before building or changing use)

Confirm the property's base zoning and any overlays on the City zoning map and read the relevant district table in § 10.22.030, § 10.24.030, § 10.26.020, or § 10.28.090 .
Verify whether the proposed use is marked P, MUP, P‑PC, or CUP in the land‑use table and gather the associated application materials (CUP submittal checklist references § 10.60.030) .
Check site numeric standards in the applicable site development table (Table 10.22‑2, Table 10.28‑1, Table 10.26‑1) for minimum lot size, setbacks, FAR, coverage, and height § 10.22.040, § 10.28.050, § 10.26.040 .
Prepare and submit a zoning permit application (zoning permit required for all uses; Chapter 10.52) and any required MUP/CUP applications; include a site plan, floor plans and fees per § 10.60.030 and chapter notes .
Comply with design review for new construction or exterior changes (see § 10.12.060) and consult the City's Sausalito Design Review page early .
Meet off‑street parking requirements (see SMC § 10.40.100–10.40.120) and consult Sausalito Parking for calculations .
If the site is inside an overlay (e.g., -M, housing opportunity overlay), include overlay compliance in the application; overlay rules can modify setbacks, land‑use mixes, or FAR § 10.28.050, § 10.28.090 .
Confirm any accessory‑use rules that apply (e.g., SMC § 10.44.020 for accessory structures and § 10.44.080 for ADUs) .
For building construction, consult the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — code compliance is separate from land‑use entitlement.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Overlay modifications (Marinship, Housing Opportunity)	Overlays can alter allowable uses, FAR, heights and setbacks compared to base zone; failure to check overlays can lead to rejected applications	Verify overlay boundaries and read § 10.28.050 and § 10.28.090 for overlay‑specific rules; confirm parcel status with staff
Applicability of ADU rules in commercial districts	The code allows ADUs in some commercial/mixed zones only on lots with existing dwellings or subject to special rules	See SMC § 10.44.080 and table footnotes for CC/CR/CN limitations; verify with the City for site‑specific applicability
Mixed‑use limits in Housing Opportunity districts	Mixed non‑residential floor area is capped (typically 15%) — developers relying on commercial revenue must account for the cap	Check § 10.28.090(D)(2) and Table 10.28‑4; confirm whether existing non‑residential square footage is grandfathered
Parking variances / CUP triggers	Some commercial uses require CUP to establish parking or exceed frontage rules (retail >50 ft) — missing this can create a fatal statutorily required hearing	Check § 10.24.040 and SMC § 10.40.100–120; confirm parking counts early and whether CUP or MUP is required
Historic or nonconforming structures	Historic preservation or nonconforming‑use rules may restrict alterations or changes of use beyond base zoning	See Sausalito Historic Preservation and the ordinance provisions on design review and status of projects in progress § 10.12.070; verify with Historic Preservation Commission if applicable
Parcel‑specific FAR/height exceptions	Hillside topography, marina setbacks, and specific parcels in -M have exceptions and parcel‑level rules	Check the site development tables (e.g., Table 10.28‑1) and the referenced § 10.40.060 for height measurements; verify with Planning staff

Plain‑English Summary

Sausalito's zoning code (Title 10) assigns each parcel a base zone and sometimes one or more overlays; the land‑use tables (residential, commercial, industrial, open space) tell you whether a use is allowed outright (P), needs a minor use permit (MUP), or requires a conditional use permit (CUP), and separate development standards tables set minimum lot sizes, setbacks, FAR, coverage and height. For any proposed change you must check the land‑use table for your parcel, confirm numeric site standards in the applicable table, and follow the permit processes (zoning permit, design review, MUP/CUP) described in Title 10 .

Information Gaps

Complete, parcel‑level zoning map and the full original images of the City’s land‑use tables as printed in Title 10 were not included in the retrieved excerpts; the printed tables were partially omitted in the extracts (images intentionally omitted in the retrieval). Verify district and overlay boundaries with the City zoning map (planning counter). Not found in retrieved materials.
The files excerpted do not provide every numeric setback for every district in plain text (some numeric standards appear in images or tables that were omitted). Verify numerical setbacks and exceptions in Table 10.22‑2, Table 10.24‑1, Table 10.28‑1 directly in the City Code or by contacting the Community Development Department. Not found in retrieved materials.
Any recent local amendments adopted after the retrieved extracts might not be reflected here; always confirm current code versions with the City’s official code website. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Source References

Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.22.030 (Land uses in residential districts) — downloaded from the City code repository.
Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.22.040 (Site development requirements; Table 10.22‑2) .
Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.24.030 (Land uses allowed in commercial districts; Table 10.24‑1) .
Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.26.020 (Land uses in Industrial/Marinship district; Table 10.26‑1) .
Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.28.050 (Marinship (-M) overlay rules; Table 10.28‑1) .
Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.28.090 (Housing opportunity overlay districts; Table 10.28‑3) .
Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.40.030 (Minimum parcel standards) .
Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.44.020 (Accessory uses and structures) .
Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.44.080 (Accessory dwelling units; ADU rules) .
Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.60.020–050 (Conditional use permits: applicability and findings) .
Sausalito Municipal Code, § 10.12.060–070 (Design review required; effect on projects in progress) .
Sausalito Code (full Title 10 extract): downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SA4880 — the City code repository used to source the excerpts above.

(If you want, I can pull the exact table images and parcel‑level zoning map referenced above from the City code site and annotate the specific applicable rows for a single parcel — tell me the APN or street address and I will extract and cite the exact table rows.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

Sausalito Zoning Code (section does) High relevance
Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.28.050) High relevance
Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.44.080.) High relevance
Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.28.060) High relevance
Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.24.030) High relevance
Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.88.040) High relevance
Sausalito Zoning Code (Chapter 10.45) High relevance
Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.44.280) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Sausalito code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R-1 lot in Sausalito?

You can build uses listed as P in Table 10.22‑1 for R‑1: typically single‑family dwellings, accessory residential uses, and small residential accessory structures; dimensional limits (minimum parcel 6,000 sq ft, FAR 0.45, coverage 35%) come from the site development table Table 10.22‑2 in § 10.22.040. Verify exact numeric setbacks and any overlay constraints for your lot .

Do accessory dwelling units (ADUs) require a conditional use permit in Sausalito?

ADUs are governed by SMC § 10.44.080 and are allowed in many zones subject to that section's rules; the ordinance text in the City code excerpts shows ADU allowances and special district limitations (for example, ADUs in CC/CR/CN are allowed only on lots with an existing or proposed dwelling unit) — check § 10.44.080 and applicable district table entries for whether a discretionary permit is needed .

What are Sausalito’s setback and development standard sources I must consult?

Primary numeric standards live in the site development tables (e.g., Table 10.22‑2 for residential, Table 10.28‑1 for the Marinship overlay) and the General Development Regulations (Chapter 10.40). See § 10.22.040 and § 10.28.050 for the tables and § 10.40.030 for parcel minimums; also review the City's Sausalito Development Standards page for the City summary .

Do I need design review for a change of use in Sausalito?

Design review is required for new construction and exterior alterations under § 10.12.060; whether a change of use triggers design review depends on whether exterior changes or new construction are proposed. Start early with the planning counter and consult the City's Sausalito Design Review guidance .

When is a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) required?

A CUP is required only when the land‑use table marks the proposed use as CUP in the parcel’s zoning district (see Table 10.24‑1, Table 10.26‑1, Table 10.22‑1). The CUP process and the required findings are in Chapter 10.60 (see § 10.60.020–050) — the Planning Commission must make the findings listed in § 10.60.050 before approval .

Are there special rules for using property in the Marinship area?

Yes. The -M (Marinship) overlay modifies allowed uses (e.g., limits new office uses to ancillary offices, encourages arts uses), limits marinas and sets specific site standards (including an example 32 ft height limit in some -M areas). See § 10.28.050 and Table 10.28‑1 for overlay specifics; overlay rules apply to every parcel inside the Marinship plan area .

How does Sausalito treat parking for new commercial uses?

Off‑street parking rules are referenced in the commercial land‑use tables and are regulated under SMC § 10.40.100–10.40.120; some off‑street parking facilities in commercial districts may require CUP and other controls. Review § 10.24.030 and the parking chapter, and consult the City’s Sausalito Parking guidance early in project planning .

Can I convert an existing residential unit in a commercial zone to another non‑residential use?

The land‑use tables and district text control conversions. For example, the CR district has special limitations on conversions and mixed uses specified in the district text and tables — always check the specific district entry (Table 10.24‑1 and district provisions) for conversion restrictions and verify with staff if the parcel has historic or nonconforming status. Consult the applicable district section in Title 10 and associated tables .

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