Vacaville · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Vacaville?
In Vacaville, a child care center is allowed in 5 base zones (CN, CG, CO, MX and PF, 1 with a condition), needs a minor use permit in 7 (RL, RLM, RM, RMH, RH and 2 more) and not allowed in 7 (Vacaville use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: CN, CG, CO, MX and PF
- Needs a permit: RL, RLM, RM, RMH, RH, CH and BP
- Not allowed: RR, RE, MHP, IS, IP, PR and OS
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Vacaville 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
Vacaville's code calls this use “Day 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CN | Allowed | § 14.09.070.020 |
| CG | Allowed | § 14.09.070.020 |
| CO | Allowed | § 14.09.070.020 |
| MX | Allowed — see note Note 1: Developments within the MX zoning district shall contain a minimum of two different types of uses, one of which shall be residential. | § 14.09.070.020 |
| PF | Allowed | § 14.09.090.020 |
| RL | Needs a minor use permit | § 14.09.060.020 |
| RLM | Needs a minor use permit | § 14.09.060.020 |
| RM | Needs a minor use permit | § 14.09.060.020 |
| RMH | Needs a minor use permit | § 14.09.060.020 |
| RH | Needs a minor use permit | § 14.09.060.020 |
| CH | Needs a minor use permit | § 14.09.070.020 |
| BP | Needs a minor use permit | § 14.09.080.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- 'Pet Day Care' is a separate animal row. Family day care is a residential use (Section 14.02.060.010). Overlay districts (AB, RSS, PD, Northeast Growth Area) and the DCSP / DRSP columns are not base districts; blank cells (RHL column rows from Community Assembly down, DCSP, DRSP) are left out. S3 header mark 1 on MX: developments in MX must contain two different types of uses, one residential.
- 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: Use classification definitions (Chapter 14.02.060) and Section 14.09.270.xxx standards, including Animal Keeping (14.09.270.070), are not in the packet; Specific plan districts DCSP and DRSP: use cells blank; Overlay districts AB, RSS, PD, NGA. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Vacaville
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the RL zone in Vacaville?
Only with a minor use permit. Vacaville's use table lists it that way in RL (§ 14.09.060.020).
Can I have a child care center in the RR zone in Vacaville?
No. Vacaville's use table does not allow it in RR (§ 14.09.060.020).
Can I have a child care center in the CN zone in Vacaville?
Yes. Vacaville's use table lists it as allowed in CN (§ 14.09.070.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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