Arroyo Grande · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Arroyo Grande?
In Arroyo Grande, a child care center is needs a permit in 14 (RH, RR, RS, SF, VR and 9 more, 3 with a condition) and not allowed in 5 (Arroyo Grande use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RH, RR, RS, SF, VR, MF, MFA, MFVH and 6 more
- Not allowed: RE, MHP, IMU, TMU and HMU
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Arroyo Grande 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
Arroyo Grande's code calls this use “2. Commercial day nurseries, nursery schools, child care facilities / Child day care center - 14 or fewer”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RH | Needs a conditional use permit | § 16.32.040 |
| RR | Needs a conditional use permit | § 16.32.040 |
| RS | Needs a conditional use permit | § 16.32.040 |
| SF | Needs a conditional use permit | § 16.32.040 |
| VR Village Residential | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note a: Architectural review is required for the historic character overlay district D-2.4 per Section 16.32.050(F)(1) and in accordance with Section 16.16.130 through the permit approval process for conditional use, planned unit development or minor use permit for architectural review. | § 16.32.040 |
| MF | Needs a conditional use permit | § 16.32.040 |
| MFA | Needs a conditional use permit | § 16.32.040 |
| MFVH | Needs a conditional use permit | § 16.32.040 |
| VCD Village Core Downtown District | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note PED: Not permitted in pedestrian oriented storefront locations on ground floor facing E. Grand Avenue, East/West Branch Street or prime real estate space within shopping centers | § 16.36.030 |
| VMU Village Mixed Use District | Needs a minor use permit | § 16.36.030 |
| GMU Gateway Mixed Use District | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note PED: Not permitted in pedestrian oriented storefront locations on ground floor facing E. Grand Avenue, East/West Branch Street or prime real estate space within shopping centers | § 16.36.030 |
| FOMU Fair Oaks Mixed Use District | Needs a minor use permit | § 16.36.030 |
| OMU Office Mixed Use District | Needs a minor use permit | § 16.36.030 |
| RC Regional Commercial District | Needs a minor use permit | § 16.36.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 16.52.120 (child day care 15 or more; adult day care).
- S3 'Child day care center - 15 or more': IMU NP, TMU NP, VCD MUP/PED, VMU MUP, GMU MUP/PED, FOMU MUP, HMU NP, OMU CUP, RC NP (standards 16.52.120). S2 '1. Large family day care (7 or more children)' is P in RE-VR and NP in MF/MFA/MFVH/MHP; '16. Small family day care' is P everywhere.
- 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 1.1 and PD 1.2 planned development districts; other districts (industrial, public, parks) not in the supplied text. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Arroyo Grande
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the RH zone in Arroyo Grande?
Only with a conditional use permit. Arroyo Grande's use table lists it that way in RH (§ 16.32.040).
Can I have a child care center in the RE zone in Arroyo Grande?
No. Arroyo Grande's use table does not allow it in RE (Residential Estate) (§ 16.32.040).
General information, not legal advice.
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