Union City · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Union City?
In Union City, a child care center is needs a permit in 8 (CPA, CN, CC, MMU, VMU and 3 more, 1 with a condition) and not allowed in 2 (Union City use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: CPA, CN, CC, MMU, VMU, CMU, CSMU and MS
- Not allowed: MG and ML
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Union City 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
Union City's code calls this use “Child day care 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CPA | Needs an administrative use permit (zoning administrator approval, chapter 18.54) | § 18.36.030 |
| CN | Needs an administrative use permit (zoning administrator approval, chapter 18.54) | § 18.36.030 |
| CC | Needs an administrative use permit (zoning administrator approval, chapter 18.54) | § 18.36.030 |
| MMU Marketplace Mixed Use | Needs an administrative use permit (zoning administrator approval, chapter 18.54) | § 18.26.030 |
| VMU Village Mixed Use | Needs an administrative use permit (zoning administrator approval, chapter 18.54) | § 18.27.030 |
| CMU Corridor Mixed Use Commercial | Needs an administrative use permit (zoning administrator approval, chapter 18.54) | § 18.35.030 |
| CSMU Station Mixed Use Commercial | Needs an administrative use permit (zoning administrator approval, chapter 18.54) | § 18.38.030 |
| MS Special Industrial | Needs an use permit (chapter 18.56) — see note Note Specific Use Regulations/Notes: When conducted as an integral part of a main building or on a proximate site/campus and where the parent(s) or guardian(s) of children using such facility remain on site, or on a proximate site | § 18.40.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- CF district permits 'Child care for more than 12 children' (S34 A) and PI lists pre-schools with private schools (S38 H); not used because they are different rows. Large family child care homes are a residential use (S8 P). Zone names CPA/CN/CC/CVR are not spelled out in the packet.
- 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: Residential districts RS, R, RM, R-5000: permitted/conditional uses are prose lists in 18.32.020/030 and 18.88.050; the packet has no zone list or per-zone table; CVR column is blank for child day care in S13. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the CPA zone in Union City?
Only with an administrative use permit (zoning administrator approval, chapter 18.54). Union City's use table lists it that way in CPA (§ 18.36.030).
Can I have a child care center in the MG zone in Union City?
No. Union City's use table does not allow it in MG (General Industrial) (§ 18.40.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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