Glendale · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Glendale?
In Glendale, a child care center is allowed in 3 base zones (IMU, IMU-R and MS), needs an administrative use permit in 4 (IND, SFMU, TOD I and TOD II) and not allowed in 2 (Glendale use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: IMU, IMU-R and MS
- Needs a permit: IND, SFMU, TOD I and TOD II
- Not allowed: CE and CEM
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Glendale 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
Glendale's code calls this use “Day care centers”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| IMU | Allowed | § 30.14.020 |
| IMU-R | Allowed | § 30.14.020 |
| MS | Allowed | § 30.15.020 |
| IND | Needs an administrative use permit | § 30.13.020 |
| SFMU | Needs an administrative use permit | § 30.14.020 |
| TOD I | Needs an administrative use permit | § 30.16.020 |
| TOD II | Needs an administrative use permit | § 30.16.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Residential zones: no general day care center row. Special rows left out: (a) 'Day care center, only where operated at a church, synagogue, temple, or other house of worship, religiously affiliated or nonsectarian preschool' is C in R3050, R2250, R1650, R1250 (S2); (b) 'Day care centers' under 'Uses Within a Historic Resource' is C in all residential zones but only inside a designated historic resource (S2); (c) 'Day care' within a public park is A in SR (S5).
- 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: Commercial districts (C1, C2, C3 etc.) and any other base zones whose use tables are not in the packet; Chapter 30.70 use definitions and Section 30.03.010 (uses not listed) are not in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Glendale
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the IND zone in Glendale?
Only with an administrative use permit. Glendale's use table lists it that way in IND (§ 30.13.020).
Can I have a child care center in the CE zone in Glendale?
No. Glendale's use table does not allow it in CE (§ 30.15.020).
Can I have a child care center in the IMU zone in Glendale?
Yes. Glendale's use table lists it as allowed in IMU (§ 30.14.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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