Yolo County · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Yolo County?
In Yolo County, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 2 base zones (R-M and R-H, all with a condition), needs a permit in 5 (R-L, C-L, C-G, DMX and C-H, all with a condition) and not allowed in 5 (Yolo County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R-M and R-H
- Needs a permit: R-L, C-L, C-G, DMX and C-H
- Not allowed: RR-5, RR-2, I-L, I-H and OPRD
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Yolo 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
Yolo County's code calls this use “Small multi-family (3-4 attached units) (S2); Multiple family units (apartments) (S3); Multiple family units (S4)”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| R-M | Allowed — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Table 8-2.505 and Sec. 8-2.506(c), (m), and (n) | § 8-2.504 |
| R-H | Allowed — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Table 8-2.505 and Sec. 8-2.506(c), (m), and (n) | § 8-2.504 |
| R-L | Needs a site plan review — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Table 8-2.505 and Sec. 8-2.506(c), (m), and (n) | § 8-2.504 |
| C-L | Needs a site plan review or minor use permit (depends on the use standards in the specific use requirements column) — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.606(l) Note (1): No individual uses with floorplates larger than 40,000 square feet are allowed in the C-L zone. | § 8-2.604 |
| C-G | Needs a site plan review or minor use permit (depends on the use standards in the specific use requirements column) — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.606(l) | § 8-2.604 |
| DMX | Needs a site plan review or minor use permit (depends on the use standards in the specific use requirements column) — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.606(l) Note (2): In addition to permit requirements in the DMX zone, all new uses and construction must meet design and other requirements as specified in Section 8-2.606(a). | § 8-2.604 |
| C-H | Needs a site plan review or minor use permit (depends on the use standards in the specific use requirements column) — see note Note Row: Specific Use Requirements: See Sec. 8-2.606(l) | § 8-2.604 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Large multi-family (5+ attached units) in S2: RR-5 N, RR-2 N, R-L SP, R-M SP, R-H SP.
- 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: Tribal Trust Overlay (TT-O), Agricultural District Overlay (AD-O, Clarksburg; in Sec. 8-2.401) and Special Building (B) overlay: not in the use tables; Specific plan (S-P) and PD zones: only interim agricultural uses in Table 8-2.905-1. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Yolo County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R-L zone in Yolo County?
Only with a site plan review. Yolo County's use table lists it that way in R-L (§ 8-2.504). The code adds a condition: “Specific Use Requirements: See Table 8-2.505 and Sec. 8-2.506(c), (m), and (n)”
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RR-5 zone in Yolo County?
No. Yolo County's use table does not allow it in RR-5 (§ 8-2.504).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R-M zone in Yolo County?
Yes, with a condition. Yolo County's use table lists it as allowed in R-M (§ 8-2.504). The code adds a condition: “Specific Use Requirements: See Table 8-2.505 and Sec. 8-2.506(c), (m), and (n)”
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about an apartment building (multifamily housing) at an address in Yolo County
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question