Culver City · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Culver City?
In Culver City, a child care center is needs a permit in 12 (RLD, RMD, RHD, MU-N, MU-1 and 7 more, 9 with a condition) and not allowed in 2 (Culver City use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RLD, RMD, RHD, MU-N, MU-1, MU-2, MU-DT, MU-MD and 4 more
- Not allowed: R1 and R2
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Culver 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
Culver City's code calls this use “Child 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RLD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.210.015 |
| RMD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.210.015 |
| RHD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.210.015 |
| MU-N | Needs an administrative use permit (schools/centers up to 1,500 sq ft) or conditional use permit — see note Note AUP/CUP: AUP required for child day care centers up to 1,500 square feet in area. An AUP/CUP is not required for child day care centers that are collocated with multifamily housing. | § 17.220.015 |
| MU-1 | Needs an administrative use permit (schools/centers up to 1,500 sq ft) or conditional use permit — see note Note AUP/CUP: AUP required for child day care centers up to 1,500 square feet in area. An AUP/CUP is not required for child day care centers that are collocated with multifamily housing. | § 17.220.015 |
| MU-2 | Needs an administrative use permit (schools/centers up to 1,500 sq ft) or conditional use permit — see note Note AUP/CUP: AUP required for child day care centers up to 1,500 square feet in area. An AUP/CUP is not required for child day care centers that are collocated with multifamily housing. | § 17.220.015 |
| MU-DT | Needs an administrative use permit (schools/centers up to 1,500 sq ft) or conditional use permit — see note Note AUP/CUP: AUP required for child day care centers up to 1,500 square feet in area. An AUP/CUP is not required for child day care centers that are collocated with multifamily housing. | § 17.220.015 |
| MU-MD | Needs an administrative use permit (schools/centers up to 1,500 sq ft) or conditional use permit — see note Note AUP/CUP: AUP required for child day care centers up to 1,500 square feet in area. An AUP/CUP is not required for child day care centers that are collocated with multifamily housing. | § 17.220.015 |
| MU-HD | Needs an administrative use permit (schools/centers up to 1,500 sq ft) or conditional use permit — see note Note AUP/CUP: AUP required for child day care centers up to 1,500 square feet in area. An AUP/CUP is not required for child day care centers that are collocated with multifamily housing. | § 17.220.015 |
| MU-I | Needs an administrative use permit (schools/centers up to 1,500 sq ft) or conditional use permit — see note Note AUP/CUP: AUP required for child day care centers up to 1,500 square feet in area. An AUP/CUP is not required for child day care centers that are collocated with multifamily housing. | § 17.220.015 |
| FH-MD | Needs an administrative use permit (schools/centers up to 1,500 sq ft) or conditional use permit — see note Note AUP/CUP: AUP required for child day care centers up to 1,500 square feet in area. An AUP/CUP is not required for child day care centers that are collocated with multifamily housing. | § 17.270.015 |
| FH-HD | Needs an administrative use permit (schools/centers up to 1,500 sq ft) or conditional use permit — see note Note AUP/CUP: AUP required for child day care centers up to 1,500 square feet in area. An AUP/CUP is not required for child day care centers that are collocated with multifamily housing. | § 17.270.015 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Row is split by floor area inside the cell: AUP up to 1,500 sq ft, CUP above; no permit when collocated with multifamily housing. Family day care homes (large and small) are separate rows, 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: Commercial and industrial zoning districts (their use tables are not in the packet); Specific-plan or overlay districts other than Fox Hills. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Culver City
Who this affects
HomeownersBuyersReal estate agentsSmall developers
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the RLD zone in Culver City?
Only with a conditional use permit. Culver City's use table lists it that way in RLD (§ 17.210.015).
Can I have a child care center in the R1 zone in Culver City?
No. Culver City's use table does not allow it in R1 (§ 17.210.015).
General information, not legal advice.
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