San Bernardino County · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in San Bernardino County?
In San Bernardino County, a child care center is needs a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit) in 8 (RL, RS, RM, CR, CN and 3 more) and not allowed in 1 (San Bernardino County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RL, RS, RM, CR, CN, CO, CG and CS
- Not allowed: CH
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the San Bernardino 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
San Bernardino County's code calls this use “Child care - 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RL Rural Living | Needs a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit) | Division 2 — LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWED LAND USES |
| RS Single Residential | Needs a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit) | Division 2 — LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWED LAND USES |
| RM Multiple Residential | Needs a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit) | Division 2 — LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWED LAND USES |
| CR Rural Commercial | Needs a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit) | Division 2 — LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWED LAND USES |
| CN Neighborhood Commercial | Needs a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit) | Division 2 — LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWED LAND USES |
| CO Office Commercial | Needs a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit) | Division 2 — LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWED LAND USES |
| CG General Commercial | Needs a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit) | Division 2 — LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWED LAND USES |
| CS Service Commercial | Needs a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit) | Division 2 — LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWED LAND USES |
Zones where it is not allowed
CH.
What else applies
- 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: SP (Specific Plan) districts: use rules sit in each specific plan, not in this text. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in San Bernardino County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the RL zone in San Bernardino County?
Only with a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit). San Bernardino County's use table lists it that way in RL (Rural Living) (Division 2 — LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWED LAND USES).
Can I have a child care center in the CH zone in San Bernardino County?
No. San Bernardino County's use table does not allow it in CH (Highway Commercial) (Division 2 — LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS AND ALLOWED LAND USES).
General information, not legal advice.
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