Colton · Land use · Private school
Where is a private school allowed in Colton?
In Colton, a private school is allowed in 4 base zones (C-2, I-P, M-1 and M-2), needs a conditional use permit in 6 (R1, R2, R3/R4, C-1, MU-D and 1 more) and not allowed in 1 (Colton use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: C-2, I-P, M-1 and M-2
- Needs a permit: R1, R2, R3/R4, C-1, MU-D and MU-N
- Not allowed: V-L
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Colton 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 private school can go
Colton's code calls this use “Educational Institution (Table E); Educational Institutions and Vocational Schools (Tables F, G)”. 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.
The code defines “Educational Institution”: “Educational Institution" means a School, college or university, public or private, giving general academic instruction equivalent to the standards prescribed by the State Board of Education.” (§ 18.04.194)
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| C-2 General Commercial | Allowed Code row: “Educational Institutions and Vocational Schools” | § 18.06.060 |
| I-P Industrial Park | Allowed Code row: “Educational Institutions and Vocational Schools” | § 18.06.060 |
| M-1 Light Industrial | Allowed Code row: “Educational Institutions and Vocational Schools” | § 18.06.060 |
| M-2 Heavy Industrial | Allowed Code row: “Educational Institutions and Vocational Schools” | § 18.06.060 |
| R1 Low Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit Code row: “Educational Institution” | § 18.06.060 |
| R2 Medium Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit Code row: “Educational Institution” | § 18.06.060 |
| R3/R4 Multiple-Family Residential | Needs a conditional use permit Code row: “Educational Institution” | § 18.06.060 |
| C-1 Neighborhood Commercial | Needs a conditional use permit Code row: “Educational Institutions and Vocational Schools” | § 18.06.060 |
| MU-D Mixed-Use Downtown | Needs a conditional use permit Code row: “Educational Institutions and Vocational Schools” | § 18.06.060 |
| MU-N Mixed-Use Neighborhood | Needs a conditional use permit Code row: “Educational Institutions and Vocational Schools” | § 18.06.060 |
Zones where it is not allowed
V-L.
What else applies
- Public Schools appear only in the Public/Institutional table (P). The packet has no definition of 'Educational Institution'.
- Not covered here: Residential Table E, commercial Table F, open space Table H, P-I Table I and corridor Table J have no Emergency Shelter row (not allowed under 18.06.060 B). The same not-listed rule applies to any use below with no row in a table.; Note on the packet text: Table F is interrupted by a repeated 'E. Residential Districts Table' heading before 'Recycling Processing Facility—Heavy'. The rows after it (through 'Wholesaling', including 'Single-Room Occupancy Facility') continue Table F alphabetically and are read as Table F.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Colton
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a private school in the R1 zone in Colton?
Only with a conditional use permit. Colton's use table lists it that way in R1 (Low Density Residential) (§ 18.06.060).
Can I have a private school in the V-L zone in Colton?
No. Colton's use table does not allow it in V-L (Very-Low Residential) (§ 18.06.060).
Can I have a private school in the C-2 zone in Colton?
Yes. Colton's use table lists it as allowed in C-2 (General Commercial) (§ 18.06.060).
General information, not legal advice.
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