Apple Valley · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Apple Valley?
In Apple Valley, a child care center is needs a permit in 11 (O-P, C-G, C-S, C-R, C-V and 6 more, 5 with a condition) and not allowed in 5 (Apple Valley use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: O-P, C-G, C-S, C-R, C-V, I-P, R-VLD, R-A and 3 more
- Not allowed: I-RE, R-EQ, R-SF, R-M and MHP
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Apple Valley 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
Apple Valley's code calls this use “4. Day care center Child or Senior (S4) / 1. Child or Senior day care center (S6) / 1. Child care centers 15 or greater (S1)”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| O-P Office Professional | Needs a special use permit | § 9.35.030 |
| C-G General Commercial | Needs a special use permit | § 9.35.030 |
| C-S Service Commercial | Needs a special use permit | § 9.35.030 |
| C-R Regional Commercial | Needs a special use permit | § 9.35.030 |
| C-V Village Commercial | Needs a special use permit | § 9.35.030 |
| I-P Planned Industrial | Needs a special use permit | § 9.45.030 |
| R-VLD Very Low Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note row: residential districts list only centers of 15 or more children; other center sizes are not listed | § 9.28.030 |
| R-A Residential Agriculture | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note row: residential districts list only centers of 15 or more children; other center sizes are not listed | § 9.28.030 |
| R-LD Low Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note row: residential districts list only centers of 15 or more children; other center sizes are not listed | § 9.28.030 |
| R-E Estate Residential | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note row: residential districts list only centers of 15 or more children; other center sizes are not listed | § 9.28.030 |
| R-E ¾ Estate Residential ¾ | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note row: residential districts list only centers of 15 or more children; other center sizes are not listed | § 9.28.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Family day care homes are separate rows (small: 8 or fewer children P; large: 9 to 14 children P in most residential districts).
- 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: S2/S5/S7 are specific-use regulation chapters, not use tables; Specific plan districts (S10) have no use table; PRD cells left out (uses per approved PRD). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Apple Valley
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the O-P zone in Apple Valley?
Only with a special use permit. Apple Valley's use table lists it that way in O-P (Office Professional) (§ 9.35.030).
Can I have a child care center in the I-RE zone in Apple Valley?
No. Apple Valley's use table does not allow it in I-RE (Resource Extraction) (§ 9.45.030).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a child care center at an address in Apple Valley
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question