Santa Monica · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, a child care center is allowed in 18 base zones (LT, NV, BC (Third Street Promenade Area), BC (Excluding Third Street Promenade Area), TA and 13 more), needs a permit in 13 (R1, R2, R3, R4, OP1 and 8 more, 3 with a condition) and not allowed in 1 (Santa Monica use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: LT, NV, BC (Third Street Promenade Area), BC (Excluding Third Street Promenade Area), TA, OT, WT, MUBL and 10 more
- Needs a permit: R1, R2, R3, R4, OP1, OPD, OP2, OP3 and 5 more
- Not allowed: CAC
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Santa Monica 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
Santa Monica's code calls this use “Child Care and Early Education Facilities”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| LT | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| NV | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| BC (Third Street Promenade Area) | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| BC (Excluding Third Street Promenade Area) | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| TA | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| OT | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| WT | Allowed | § 9.10.040 |
| MUBL | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| MUB | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| GC | Allowed | § 9.11.020 |
| BTV | Allowed | § 9.12.020 |
| MUC | Allowed | § 9.12.020 |
| CCS | Allowed | § 9.12.020 |
| OC | Allowed | § 9.13.020 |
| HMU | Allowed | § 9.13.020 |
| CC | Allowed | § 9.15.020 |
| PL Public District | Allowed | § 9.15.020 |
| OS Open Space District | Allowed | § 9.15.020 |
| R1 Single-Unit Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.07.020 |
| R2 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note *: For uses within specified areas, see Section 9.08.030(A) | § 9.08.020 |
| R3 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note *: For uses within specified areas, see Section 9.08.030(A) | § 9.08.020 |
| R4 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.08.020 |
| OP1 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.09.020 |
| OPD Ocean Park Neighborhood District OPD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.09.020 |
| OP2 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.09.020 |
| OP3 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP3 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.09.020 |
| OP4 Ocean Park Neighborhood District OP4 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.09.020 |
| NC | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 2: Limitation shall only apply to new construction: Limited to facilities with no more than 7,500 square feet of floor area; greater area requires approval of a Minor Use Permit. | § 9.11.020 |
| IC | Needs a minor use permit | § 9.13.020 |
| OF Oceanfront District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.14.020 |
| RMH | Needs a conditional use permit | § 9.17.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
CAC.
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Section 9.31.120 , Child Care and Early Education Facilities.
- 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: Chapter 9.51 use definitions (Community Assembly, Residential Care General/Limited/Senior, Child Care and Early Education Facility) are not in the packet; Section 9.08.030(A) (specified areas for R2/R3, header asterisk) not in packet; Section 9.31.x use standards not in packet; R2/R3 columns in S2 carry an asterisk meaning special rules in specified areas. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Santa Monica
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the R1 zone in Santa Monica?
Only with a conditional use permit. Santa Monica's use table lists it that way in R1 (Single-Unit Residential District) (§ 9.07.020).
Can I have a child care center in the CAC zone in Santa Monica?
No. Santa Monica's use table does not allow it in CAC (§ 9.12.020).
Can I have a child care center in the LT zone in Santa Monica?
Yes. Santa Monica's use table lists it as allowed in LT (§ 9.10.040).
General information, not legal advice.
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