Waterford · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Waterford?
In Waterford, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 1 base zone (CH, it with a condition) and needs a permit in 11 (RS, RM, RH, OS, PS and 6 more, 10 with a condition) (Waterford use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: CH
- Needs a permit: RS, RM, RH, OS, PS, CC, CG, CR and 3 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Waterford 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 church or other place of worship can go
Waterford's code calls this use “Religious assembly”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CH | Allowed — see note Note K: See Section 17.40.180, Religious assembly yard requirements. Note 9: Administrative use permit required for facilities holding outdoor events or activities. | § 17.24.030 |
| RS | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note C: Approval of a use permit shall require a finding that (1) the proposed use will have no significant unmitigated environmental impacts, does not have impacts on surrounding land and uses, in accordance with Chapter 17.72 (Standards of Review); and (2) the building design is compatible with surrounding buildings. The code attaches note H to this zone. This page does not show it; read the code. | § 17.20.030 |
| RM | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note C: Approval of a use permit shall require a finding that (1) the proposed use will have no significant unmitigated environmental impacts, does not have impacts on surrounding land and uses, in accordance with Chapter 17.72 (Standards of Review); and (2) the building design is compatible with surrounding buildings. The code attaches note H to this zone. This page does not show it; read the code. | § 17.20.030 |
| RH | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note C: Approval of a use permit shall require a finding that (1) the proposed use will have no significant unmitigated environmental impacts, does not have impacts on surrounding land and uses, in accordance with Chapter 17.72 (Standards of Review); and (2) the building design is compatible with surrounding buildings. The code attaches note H to this zone. This page does not show it; read the code. | § 17.20.030 |
| OS Open Space | Needs an administrative use permit | § 17.14.030 |
| PS Public and Semipublic | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Subject to Ch. 17.70 | § 17.18.020 |
| CC | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note K: See Section 17.40.180, Religious assembly yard requirements. | § 17.24.030 |
| CG | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note K: See Section 17.40.180, Religious assembly yard requirements. | § 17.24.030 |
| CR | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note K: See Section 17.40.180, Religious assembly yard requirements. | § 17.24.030 |
| IL | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note F: See Chapters 17.75, Use Permits and 17.76, Variances. Note J: No general day care facilities or schools shall be permitted as part of a religious assembly facility. Note L: See Chapter 17.42, Mixed Use Compatibility Standards. | § 17.26.030 |
| IG | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note F: See Chapters 17.75, Use Permits and 17.76, Variances. Note J: No general day care facilities or schools shall be permitted as part of a religious assembly facility. Note L: See Chapter 17.42, Mixed Use Compatibility Standards. | § 17.26.030 |
| IP | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note F: See Chapters 17.75, Use Permits and 17.76, Variances. Note J: No general day care facilities or schools shall be permitted as part of a religious assembly facility. Note L: See Chapter 17.42, Mixed Use Compatibility Standards. | § 17.26.030 |
What else applies
- S9 lists 'Religious assembly' twice: U (Public and Semipublic Use Classifications, used here) and AU (Temporary Use Classifications). RE lists it only under Temporary Use Classifications (AU), so RE is left out.
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: PC district (no use table); Chapter 17.22 mobile home park district RM (S11, not used).. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Waterford
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RS zone in Waterford?
Only with a conditional use permit. Waterford's use table lists it that way in RS (§ 17.20.030). The code adds a condition: “Approval of a use permit shall require a finding that (1) the proposed use will have no significant unmitigated environmental impacts, does not have impacts on surrounding land and uses, in accordance with Chapter…”
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the CH zone in Waterford?
Yes, with a condition. Waterford's use table lists it as allowed in CH (§ 17.24.030). The code adds a condition: “See Section 17.40.180, Religious assembly yard requirements. Administrative use permit required for facilities holding outdoor events or activities.”
General information, not legal advice.
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