Sausalito — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Sausalito’s zoning is codified as Title 10 (Zoning) of the Sausalito Municipal Code and is organized into base districts (residential, commercial, open-space, industrial) plus overlay districts that modify base rules. The zoning map sets which district applies to each parcel and the code prescribes permitted uses, development standards (setbacks, FAR, height, coverage), and permit pathways (zoning permits, minor use permits, conditional use permits, and design review). See the adoption and district table rules at § 10.10.020 and the district-establishment rules at § 10.12.040.

(First time related topic links: parking, design review, development standards, overlay districts, historic preservation, ADUs, California Building Standards Code.)

Sausalito ties site-level numeric controls to tables in the zoning chapters (residential Table 10.22‑2, commercial development tables) and to general rules in the General Development Regulations chapter; applicants should read both the base-district section and Chapter 10.40 when sizing a project. Parking rules are separate in the code and must be used with district standards.

How the code is organized (quick map)

• The zoning map and Title 10 together control land use and development; the map is adopted by reference per § 10.10.020.
• Base districts and where to find their rules: Open space/public (Chapter 10.20), Residential (Chapter 10.22), Commercial (Chapter 10.24), Industrial/Marinship (Chapter 10.26), Overlays (Chapter 10.28) — each is listed in § 10.12.010 and § 10.12.040.

District-by-district breakdown — purpose, typical permitted uses, and key numeric standards

Below each district name, I summarize what the code says (purpose), typical allowed uses (P = permitted, CUP = conditional use permit; consult the land‑use tables in each chapter for full lists), and the most decision-relevant dimensional standards you will actually use when planning. Always verify with the zoning map and Chapter 10.40 rules for parcel‑specific exceptions.

Open space / Public: OS, PP, PI, OA

• Purpose: Protect public park/open space, institutional uses and open areas; implement General Plan open-space policies. Rules appear in Chapter 10.20 and the base district list in § 10.12.040.
• Typical permitted uses: parks, passive recreation, public facilities (permits vary by sub‑district). See Chapter 10.20 for lists and permit requirements. Not found in retrieved materials for every permitted use — verify with Chapter 10.20.
• Key dimensional standards: Many open-space uses are governed by programmatic, not standard residential/commercial metrics; where numeric controls are needed the Chapter 10.40 general rules apply. Verify with the specific code chapter.

Single- and two-family Residential: R-1, R-2

• Purpose: Protect single-family and two-family neighborhoods and set buildable envelopes. See Chapter 10.22 and the Site Development Standards Table (Table 10.22‑2) in § 10.22.040.
• Typical permitted uses: single-family dwellings, accessory structures, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) subject to the local ADU standards and state ADU law. ADU-specific rules are in Chapter 10.44 and SMC references; consult the city’s ADU summary as well.
• Key dimensional standards (examples taken from Table 10.22‑2 and notes in § 10.22.040; confirm by parcel type):
  • Minimum parcel size examples: 6,000 sf (R‑1‑6), 8,000 sf (R‑1‑8), 20,000 sf (R‑1‑20). § 10.22.040.
  • Maximum FAR examples: 0.45 (R‑1‑6), 0.40 (R‑1‑8), 0.35 (R‑1‑20) per Table 10.22‑2. § 10.22.040.
  • Maximum building coverage example: 35% in certain R‑1 categories. § 10.22.040.
  • Setbacks: District setbacks are in Table 10.22‑2; special building setback lines (e.g., 10 ft on certain streets) are imposed by § 10.40.070 and apply where the map shows them.
• Where it applies: the zoning map designates specific R‑1 and R‑2 areas; parcel‑level standards may vary and are modified by overlays. § 10.12.040 and § 10.22.040.

Multiple-family Residential / High density: R-3, PR

• Purpose: Permit multi‑unit housing in appropriate locations; promote higher densities in the PR (planned residential) zones where planned development is required. See Chapter 10.22 and related planned/residential provisions. § 10.22.040.
• Typical permitted uses: multifamily dwellings (subject to density controls and design review), planned residential projects may require a -Pd overlay or planned development permit. § 10.22.040 and Chapter 10.28 for Pd rules.
• Key dimensional standards: Table 10.22‑2 lists maximum density, FAR (examples include higher FAR allowances for multiunit projects, and state law modifications for 3–10 unit projects — see the note referencing Cal. Gov’t Code § 65913.11(b) in § 10.22.040). § 10.22.040.

Houseboat / Ark districts: H, A

• Purpose: Regulate marine/residential structures floating in marina/waterfront areas; special liveaboard rules and berth counts apply. See Table in § 10.12.040 and specific requirements in Chapter 10.44 (e.g., liveaboard standards).
• Typical permitted uses: liveaboards where allowed, marine accessory uses; some liveaboard density/berth caps are set in Chapter 10.44 (see SMC cross‑references). § 10.44.170 mentioned in the code for liveaboards.
• Key dimensional standards: Specialized FAR and coverage numbers for waterfront/marina areas (Table excerpts show FAR up to 1.3 for some water-facing categories, subject to Chapter 10.44). Verify berth limits and waterfront setback rules in Chapter 10.44.

Central and neighborhood Commercial: CC, CR, CN, SC

• Purpose: A set of commercial zones intended to protect downtown retail (Central Commercial CC), mixed commercial/residential (CR), neighborhood commercial (CN), and shopping center (SC). Purposes described in § 10.24.020.
• Typical permitted uses: Retail, restaurants, professional services, and in some zones upper‑floor residential (CR encourages ground-floor retail with upper-floor housing). Specific use tables in Chapter 10.24 list P/CUP status. § 10.24.020.
• Key dimensional standards (commercial development tables):
  • Front setbacks: many commercial districts allow 0 ft front setbacks to encourage continuous retail frontage; street-side and interior side setbacks typically 5 ft, rear 15 ft. See commercial development tables and notes. § 10.24 and Table notes.
  • Maximum building height examples: commonly 32 ft (approx. 3 stories) in several commercial districts; some districts allow 35–45 ft in specific categories — see the development table. § 10.40.060 and commercial tables.
  • Maximum nonresidential FAR often shown as 0.4 in the commercial development tables (see Table excerpts). § 10.24.

Commercial Waterfront and Waterfront: CW, W

• Purpose: Protect and manage the waterfront and marine-dependent uses while allowing compatible commercial activity. See Chapter 10.24 purposes for CW and W. § 10.24.020.
• Typical permitted uses: waterfront‑dependent businesses, marine services, limited commercial/retail serving marine uses; some accessory residential/liveaboard uses are controlled. See Chapter 10.26 (Marinship specific plan cross‑references) and Chapter 10.44 for specific waterfront use rules.
• Key dimensional standards: Commercial waterfront districts have their own FAR and coverage limits (see the commercial tables for CW/W—examples include building coverage numbers and FARs specific to these zones). Verify via Chapter 10.24 and Chapter 10.40.

Industrial Marinship: IM

• Purpose: Implement the Marinship specific plan and allow marine/industrial and arts uses appropriate to the Marinship area; see Chapter 10.26 and the Marinship specific plan cross‑references. § 10.26.020.
• Typical permitted uses: marine industrial, applied/industrial arts (inclusionary ratios), warehousing, boat storage, and marine research-related uses; many uses require zoning permits, CUPs or minor use permits as listed in Table 10.26‑1. § 10.26.020 and Table 10.26‑1.
• Key dimensional standards: IM district has its own site standards table (building coverage, FAR, setbacks) and special conditions tied to the Marinship specific plan; check Chapter 10.26 and the Marinship plan for details. § 10.26.020.

Overlay districts (modifiers): -H, -M, -Pd, -Sh, -Es

• Purpose: Overlay districts are combined with base districts to apply additional rules or exceptions (Historic -H, Marinship -M, Planned Development -Pd, Senior Housing -Sh, Emergency Shelter -Es). Table 10.12‑2 lists the overlays and points to their regulations in Chapter 10.28 (and Chapter 10.46 for Historic). § 10.12.040 and Table 10.12‑2.
• How overlays change things:
  • -H (Historic): triggers Chapter 10.46 historic-preservation rules and design review; can create design constraints, incentives, and nomination/local landmark procedures. § 10.28.040 and Chapter 10.46.
  • -Pd (Planned Development): allows an approved Pd permit to supersede base district numeric controls where the Pd explicitly controls; Pd permits are approved by City Council with the required findings. § 10.28.060.
  • -Sh (Senior Housing): may be applied to encourage senior housing in high‑density residential sites or near transit/services; see § 10.28.070 and § 10.44.120.
  • -Es (Emergency Shelter): addresses siting/standards for shelters; see § 10.28.080. § 10.28. Not all overlay text was in retrieved fragments — verify with the full Chapter 10.28.

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant standards / permitted-use pointers

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy before building or changing use

• Confirm zoning designation on the City of Sausalito Zoning Map (the map governs district application). § 10.10.020.
• Check base district rules (Chapter 10.22, 10.24, 10.26, etc.) for permitted uses and whether the proposal is P / MUP / CUP. § 10.12.040 and relevant chapter.
• Apply Chapter 10.40 (General Development Regulations) for setbacks, special setback lines, height measurement, and exceptions. § 10.40.010 – § 10.40.080.
• If in an overlay (-H, -Pd, -Sh, -M, -Es) confirm overlay rules and whether overlay controls supersede base standards. § 10.12.040 and Chapter 10.28.
• Prepare required application contents (plans, owner authorization, floodplain data, historic info if applicable) per § 10.50.050.
• Determine level of zoning clearance and obtain required permit: zoning permit (Chapter 10.52), minor use permit (Chapter 10.58), conditional use permit (Chapter 10.60) as applicable; obtain design review (Chapter 10.54) for exterior changes. § 10.12.050 and § 10.12.060.
• Calculate parking demand and comply with the city’s parking standards (see parking chapter) and verify applicability of any parking waivers/exceptions. § 10.10.040 cross‑references parking; see parking rules.
• For ADUs, follow local ADU rules in Chapter 10.44 and state ADU law. See local ADU rules and state rules for ministerial requirements. § 10.22.040 cross-references ADU rules.

(First mention inline links above: design review, development standards, overlay districts, historic preservation, ADUs, California Building Standards Code, parking.)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary (homeowner)

Sausalito’s zoning (Title 10) tells you what you can build where by combining a base district (like R‑1, CC, IM) with possible overlays (like -H or -Pd). Each district has a short list of allowed uses and numeric limits (lot size, FAR, setbacks, height and coverage) in district tables plus citywide rules in Chapter 10.40; design review and permit type depend on your proposed change. Check the zoning map, the base district chapter, any overlay rules, and the Chapter 10.40 development rules before preparing plans. § 10.10.020, § 10.12.040, § 10.22.040.

Source References

• Sausalito Municipal Code, Title 10 (Zoning): Organization and district establishment at § 10.12.010 and § 10.12.040.
• Adoption of zoning ordinance and map: § 10.10.010 and § 10.10.020 (zoning map adoption).
• Residential district site development standards and Table 10.22‑2: § 10.22.040 and Table 10.22‑2.
• Commercial district purposes and development tables: Chapter 10.24 and commercial development notes (see § 10.24.020 and related tables).
• Industrial Marinship district and Table 10.26‑1: Chapter 10.26 and § 10.26.020.
• General Development Regulations (setbacks, special setbacks, exceptions): Chapter 10.40 (notably § 10.40.070 and § 10.40.080).
• Overlay district list and cross‑references (Historic, Marinship, Planned Development, Senior Housing, Emergency Shelter): Table 10.12‑2 and Chapter 10.28. § 10.12.040, Table 10.12‑2.
• Permit triggers: Zoning clearances required and design review: § 10.12.050 and § 10.12.060.
• Application contents and processing: § 10.50.050 and § 10.50.060.

Note: these excerpts and tables were retrieved from the Sausalito Zoning Code file set (ecode360 compilation). The zoning map graphic itself and some chapter tables/illustrations were not included in the uploaded text fragments; see Information Gaps below.

Retrieved passages

• Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.28.060) High relevance show source text
• Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.28.040) High relevance show source text
• Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.40.070) High relevance show source text
• Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 8.34.020.) High relevance show source text
• Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.10.030) High relevance show source text
• Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.22.040) High relevance show source text
• Sausalito Zoning Code (§ 10.10.030.) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Sausalito Municipal Code, Title 10 (Zoning): Organization and district establishment at **§ 10.12.010** and **§ 10.12.040**. (Title 10)
• Adoption of zoning ordinance and map: **§ 10.10.010** and **§ 10.10.020** (zoning map adoption). (§ 10.10.010)
• Residential district site development standards and Table 10.22‑2: **§ 10.22.040** and Table 10.22‑2. (§ 10.22.040)
• Commercial district purposes and development tables: Chapter **10.24** and commercial development notes (see **§ 10.24.020** and related tables). (§ 10.24.020)
• Industrial Marinship district and Table 10.26‑1: Chapter **10.26** and **§ 10.26.020**. (§ 10.26.020)
• General Development Regulations (setbacks, special setbacks, exceptions): Chapter **10.40** (notably **§ 10.40.070** and **§ 10.40.080**). (§ 10.40.070)
• Overlay district list and cross‑references (Historic, Marinship, Planned Development, Senior Housing, Emergency Shelter): Table 10.12‑2 and Chapter **10.28**. **§ 10.12.040**, Table 10.12‑2. (§ 10.12.040)
• Permit triggers: Zoning clearances required and design review: **§ 10.12.050** and **§ 10.12.060**. (§ 10.12.050)
• Application contents and processing: **§ 10.50.050** and **§ 10.50.060**. (§ 10.50.050)
• Sausalito_ZoningCode.md

• Official Sausalito code library