La Palma · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in La Palma?
In La Palma, a child care center is allowed in 1 base zone (B-1), needs a conditional use permit in 3 (OP, GI and PI) and not allowed in 3 (La Palma use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: B-1
- Needs a permit: OP, GI and PI
- Not allowed: NC, OS and PND
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the La Palma 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
La Palma's code calls this use “Child day care facilities, and preschools (as a principal use)”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 Mixed-Use Business | Allowed | § 44-139 |
| OP Office Professional | Needs a conditional use permit | § 44-139 |
| GI General Industrial | Needs a conditional use permit | § 44-139 |
| PI Public/Institutional | Needs a conditional use permit | § 44-139 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Residential table lists only family day care homes (small up to 8, large 9 to 14 children), not centers. Incidental child day care for employees is an accessory row (OP A, NC A, B-1 R, GI A, PI A, OS X, PND A).
- 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.
- Overlay zones and specific plans can change the answer for a lot.
Other uses in La Palma
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the OP zone in La Palma?
Only with a conditional use permit. La Palma's use table lists it that way in OP (Office Professional) (§ 44-139).
Can I have a child care center in the NC zone in La Palma?
No. La Palma's use table does not allow it in NC (Neighborhood Commercial) (§ 44-139).
Can I have a child care center in the B-1 zone in La Palma?
Yes. La Palma's use table lists it as allowed in B-1 (Mixed-Use Business) (§ 44-139).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a child care center at an address in La Palma
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question