Marin County · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Marin County?
In Marin County, a child care center is allowed in 3 base zones (C1, CP and OP), needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) in 19 (A2, A3 to A60, ARP, RA, RR and 14 more, 2 with a condition) and not allowed in 1 (Marin County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: C1, CP and OP
- Needs a permit: A2, A3 to A60, ARP, RA, RR, RE, R1, RSP and 11 more
- Not allowed: IP
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Marin County 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
Marin County's code calls this use “Child 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C1 Retail Business | Allowed | § 22.12.030 |
| CP Planned Commercial | Allowed | § 22.12.030 |
| OP Planned Office | Allowed | § 22.12.030 |
| A2 Agriculture Limited | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.08.030 |
| A3 to A60 Agriculture and Conservation (A3 to A60) | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.08.030 |
| ARP Agriculture Residential Planned | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.08.030 |
| RA Residential Agriculture | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.10.030 |
| RR Residential Restricted | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.10.030 |
| RE Residential Estate | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.10.030 |
| R1 Residential Single-Family | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.10.030 |
| RSP Residential Single-Family Planned | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.10.030 |
| R2 Residential Two-Family | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.10.030 |
| RMP Residential Multiple Planned | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.10.030 |
| RX Residential Mobile Home Park | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.10.030 |
| RF Floating Home Marina | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) — see note Note 3: Allowed only as a facility incidental to and serving only floating home marina residents. | § 22.10.030 |
| VCR Village Commercial Residential | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.12.030 |
| RMPC Residential Commercial Multiple Planned | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.12.030 |
| AP Admin and Professional | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.12.030 |
| H1 Limited Roadside Business | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.12.030 |
| RCR Resort and Commercial Recreation | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.12.030 |
| OA Open Area | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) — see note Note 2: Only allowed where a single-family dwelling is first approved. | § 22.14.030 |
| PF Public Facilities | Needs an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit) | § 22.14.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
IP.
What else applies
- "Child day-care, large family day-care homes" and "small family day-care homes" are P in most districts (homes, not centers). Standards: 22.32.050.
- 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: Coastal zoning districts (Title 20, Tables 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, Coastal Agricultural, Residential and Commercial districts): only the intro section 20.62.040 is in the packet, the tables are missing.; Section 22.32 standards (22.32.030 animal keeping, 22.32.050 child care, 22.32.085 SRO, 22.32.095 homeless shelters, 22.32.150) and Article VIII definitions are not in the packet.; Combining districts (e.g. PF-RSP, San Geronimo Valley) can change allowed uses.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Marin County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the A2 zone in Marin County?
Only with an use permit (conditional use permit or master use permit). Marin County's use table lists it that way in A2 (Agriculture Limited) (§ 22.08.030).
Can I have a child care center in the IP zone in Marin County?
No. Marin County's use table does not allow it in IP (Industrial Planned) (§ 22.12.030).
Can I have a child care center in the C1 zone in Marin County?
Yes. Marin County's use table lists it as allowed in C1 (Retail Business) (§ 22.12.030).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a child care center at an address in Marin County
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