South San Francisco · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in South San Francisco?
In South San Francisco, a child care center is allowed in 16 base zones (RL-8, RM-22, RH-37.5, RH-50, RH-180 and 11 more), needs a minor use permit in 4 (MIM, MIH, S and OS) and not allowed in 4 (South San Francisco use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RL-8, RM-22, RH-37.5, RH-50, RH-180, DRL, DRM, DRH and 8 more
- Needs a permit: MIM, MIH, S and OS
- Not allowed: RL-2.2, LNC, GAC and BPO
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the South San Francisco 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
South San Francisco'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 |
|---|---|---|
| RL-8 | Allowed | § 20.070.002 |
| RM-22 | Allowed | § 20.070.002 |
| RH-37.5 | Allowed | § 20.070.002 |
| RH-50 | Allowed | § 20.070.002 |
| RH-180 | Allowed | § 20.070.002 |
| DRL Downtown Residential Low | Allowed | § 20.080.002 |
| DRM Downtown Residential Medium | Allowed | § 20.080.002 |
| DRH Downtown Residential High | Allowed | § 20.080.002 |
| DRC | Allowed | § 20.090.002 |
| DTC | Allowed | § 20.090.002 |
| ETC | Allowed | § 20.090.002 |
| CC | Allowed | § 20.100.002 |
| BTP-M | Allowed | § 20.100.002 |
| BTP-H | Allowed | § 20.100.002 |
| PQP | Allowed | § 20.110.002 |
| PR | Allowed | § 20.110.002 |
| MIM | Needs a minor use permit | § 20.100.002 |
| MIH | Needs a minor use permit | § 20.100.002 |
| S | Needs a minor use permit | § 20.110.002 |
| OS | Needs a minor use permit | § 20.110.002 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Chapter 20.350, Day Care Centers.
- Family Day Care Home Small and Large (state-law homes) are separate accessory rows and are not used; 'Pet Day Care' (S4) is animals. The definition of Day Care Center (child vs adult) is not in the packet; standards are in Chapter 20.350 (Day Care Centers). Combined headers: 'RH-37.5 and RH-50' is one column (given as two zones); 'BTP-M & GMP' and 'BTP-H & OPSP' are two-district columns (GMP and OPSP are not given as separate cells). PD districts follow their PD Plan (S6).
- 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: PD (Planned Development) districts: S6 sends uses to each PD Plan; Specific Plan districts (S10 is only the Specific Plan chapter); Chapter 20.040 definitions and Chapter 20.350 standards (group residential, community assembly size, day care) are not in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in South San Francisco
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the MIM zone in South San Francisco?
Only with a minor use permit. South San Francisco's use table lists it that way in MIM (§ 20.100.002).
Can I have a child care center in the RL-2.2 zone in South San Francisco?
No. South San Francisco's use table does not allow it in RL-2.2 (§ 20.070.002).
Can I have a child care center in the RL-8 zone in South San Francisco?
Yes. South San Francisco's use table lists it as allowed in RL-8 (§ 20.070.002).
General information, not legal advice.
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