El Cajon · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in El Cajon?
In El Cajon, a child care center is needs a permit in 16 (RS-40, RS-20, RS-14, RS-9, RS-6 and 11 more, 11 with a condition) and not allowed in 1 (El Cajon use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RS-40, RS-20, RS-14, RS-9, RS-6, RM-6000, RM-4300, RM-2500 and 8 more
- Not allowed: PRD
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the El Cajon 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 child care center can go
El Cajon's code calls this use “Day care facility (commercial or non-profit including preschool)”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RS-40 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-20 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-14 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-9 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| RS-6 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-6000 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-4300 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-2500 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-2200 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-1450 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| RM-HR | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 10: A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 . | § 17.140.210 |
| O-P | Needs a minor use permit | § 17.145.150 |
| C-N | Needs a minor use permit | § 17.145.150 |
| C-G | Needs a minor use permit | § 17.145.150 |
| C-R | Needs a minor use permit | § 17.145.150 |
| C-M | Needs a minor use permit | § 17.145.150 |
Zones where it is not allowed
PRD.
What else applies
- Commercial table row is just "Day care facility" (MUP). M zone: "Day care facility including adult day care with health services" MUP (S7). Commercial table also has "Child activity centers" (P in C-N, C-G, C-R) which is a different use.
- State law: A licensed family child care home in a house is a residential use under state law (Health and Safety Code § 1597.45); this page covers child care centers only.
- Not covered here: Specific plan zones (SP 182, SP 462, SP 32 etc.); M-U overlay adds residential to underlying zones (S3/S4). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in El Cajon
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the RS-40 zone in El Cajon?
Only with a conditional use permit. El Cajon's use table lists it that way in RS-40 (§ 17.140.210). The code adds a condition: “A "day care facility" is not a "family day care home" as defined in Chapter 17.105 .”
Can I have a child care center in the PRD zone in El Cajon?
No. El Cajon's use table does not allow it in PRD (§ 17.140.210).
General information, not legal advice.
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