San Diego · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in San Diego?
In San Diego, a child care center is needs a permit in 66 (OP-1-1, AR-1-1, AR-1-2, RS-1-1, RS-1-2 and 61 more, 9 with a condition) and not allowed in 11 (San Diego use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: OP-1-1, AR-1-1, AR-1-2, RS-1-1, RS-1-2, RS-1-3, RS-1-4, RS-1-5 and 58 more
- Not allowed: OP-2-1, OC-1-1, OR-1-1, OR-1-2, OF-1-1, AG-1-1, AG-1-2, CR-2-1 and 3 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the San Diego 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 Diego's code calls this use “Child 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 |
|---|---|---|
| OP-1-1 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 2: This use is permitted only if consistent with an approved park general development plan or master plan and is subject to any requirements identified in the plan. Vending in certain public places must comply with the provisions of sections 63.0102(b)(13) and (14) and 63.20.20. | § 131.0222 |
| AR-1-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0322 |
| AR-1-2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0322 |
| RS-1-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-3 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-4 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-5 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-6 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-7 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-8 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-9 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-10 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-11 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-12 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-13 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RS-1-14 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RX-1-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RX-1-2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RT-1-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RT-1-2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RT-1-3 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RT-1-4 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RT-1-5 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0422 |
| RM-1-1 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-1-2 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-1-3 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-2-4 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-2-5 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-2-6 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-3-7 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-3-8 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-3-9 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-4-10 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-4-11 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| RM-5-12 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0422 |
| CN-1-1 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) — see note Note 1: Uses shall not begin operating before 6:00 a.m. or continue operating later than 12:00 midnight in Commercial-Neighborhood (CN) zones. | § 131.0522 |
| CN-1-2 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) — see note Note 1: Uses shall not begin operating before 6:00 a.m. or continue operating later than 12:00 midnight in Commercial-Neighborhood (CN) zones. | § 131.0522 |
| CN-1-3 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) — see note Note 1: Uses shall not begin operating before 6:00 a.m. or continue operating later than 12:00 midnight in Commercial-Neighborhood (CN) zones. | § 131.0522 |
| CN-1-4 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) — see note Note 1: Uses shall not begin operating before 6:00 a.m. or continue operating later than 12:00 midnight in Commercial-Neighborhood (CN) zones. | § 131.0522 |
| CN-1-5 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) — see note Note 1: Uses shall not begin operating before 6:00 a.m. or continue operating later than 12:00 midnight in Commercial-Neighborhood (CN) zones. | § 131.0522 |
| CN-1-6 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) — see note Note 1: Uses shall not begin operating before 6:00 a.m. or continue operating later than 12:00 midnight in Commercial-Neighborhood (CN) zones. | § 131.0522 |
| CR-1-1 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0522 |
| CO-1-1 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0522 |
| CO-1-2 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0522 |
| CO-2-1 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0522 |
| CO-2-2 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0522 |
| CO-3-1 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0522 |
| CO-3-2 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0522 |
| CO-3-3 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0522 |
| CV-1-1 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) — see note Note 10: This use is not allowed within the Coastal Overlay Zone, except that assembly and entertainment uses may be incorporated as an accessory use to visitor accommodations. | § 131.0522 |
| CV-1-2 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) — see note Note 10: This use is not allowed within the Coastal Overlay Zone, except that assembly and entertainment uses may be incorporated as an accessory use to visitor accommodations. | § 131.0522 |
| IP-1-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0622 |
| IP-2-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0622 |
| IP-3-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0622 |
| IL-2-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0622 |
| IL-3-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0622 |
| IH-2-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0622 |
| IS-1-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0622 |
| IBT-1-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 131.0622 |
| RMX-1 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0707 |
| RMX-2 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0707 |
| RMX-3 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0707 |
| EMX-1 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0707 |
| EMX-2 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0707 |
| EMX-3 | Needs a limited use (permitted with limitations) | § 131.0707 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Large and Small Family Child Care Homes are separate rows (not used).
- 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: CC (Commercial-Community) zones: Table 131-05B columns merge into 7 symbol groups that cannot be tied to the CC-1..CC-5 header columns; Chapter 15 planned districts (CCPD, Gaslamp, La Jolla, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, Cass Street, Central Urbanized): separate use tables; Zone names are not stated in the packet text. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in San Diego
Who this affects
HomeownersBuyersReal estate agentsSmall developers
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the OP-1-1 zone in San Diego?
Only with a conditional use permit. San Diego's use table lists it that way in OP-1-1 (§ 131.0222). The code adds a condition: “This use is permitted only if consistent with an approved park general development plan or master plan and is subject to any requirements identified in the plan. Vending in certain public places must comply with the…”
Can I have a child care center in the OP-2-1 zone in San Diego?
No. San Diego's use table does not allow it in OP-2-1 (§ 131.0222).
General information, not legal advice.
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