Lincoln · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Lincoln?
In Lincoln, a child care center is needs a permit in 9 (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-E, B-P and 4 more, 4 with a condition) and not allowed in 1 (Lincoln use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-E, B-P, C, L-I, PUB and 1 more
- Not allowed: I
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Lincoln 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
Lincoln's code calls this use “Day Care Center”. 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-1 Single-Family Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.61.030 |
| R-2 Duplex Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.61.030 |
| R-3 Multiple Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.61.030 |
| R-E Residential Estate District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.61.030 |
| B-P Business and Professional District | Needs an administrative review (existing structure) / design review (new structure) — see note Note 4: New child day care uses in an existing structure require administrative review and new day care facility structures require design review. | § 18.61.030 |
| C Commercial District | Needs an administrative review (existing structure) / design review (new structure) — see note Note 4: New child day care uses in an existing structure require administrative review and new day care facility structures require design review. | § 18.61.030 |
| L-I Light Industrial District | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 2: Permit requirements apply to all industrial zoning districts, with the exception of the Industrial (I) Zoning District, where child day care facilities are not permitted. | § 18.61.030 |
| PUB Public District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.61.030 |
| O-S Open Space District | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 3: Permit requirements apply to all open space zoning districts, with the exception of the Open Space Conservation (OS-C) Zoning District, where child day care facilities are not permitted. | § 18.61.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
I.
What else applies
- Employer-sponsored Child Care Center is N in residential districts and CUP in industrial/public/open space. Table also covers RPD 1-5 (not in packet). Small and large family day care homes are separate rows.
- 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: RPD 1-5 planned development and any other district not in the packet (district chapters 18.12-18.33 only); Lists are not exclusive: every district has an 'other uses of a similar nature' clause, and no rule says unlisted uses are prohibited, so zones that do not list a use are left out, not marked 'no'.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Lincoln
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the R-1 zone in Lincoln?
Only with a conditional use permit. Lincoln's use table lists it that way in R-1 (Single-Family Residential District) (§ 18.61.030).
Can I have a child care center in the I zone in Lincoln?
No. Lincoln's use table does not allow it in I (Industrial District) (§ 18.61.030).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a child care center at an address in Lincoln
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question