Desert Hot Springs · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Desert Hot Springs?
In Desert Hot Springs, a child care center is needs a permit in 7 (R-M, R-H, C-N, C-G, MU-N and 2 more) and not allowed in 8 (Desert Hot Springs use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: R-M, R-H, C-N, C-G, MU-N, MU-C and VS-M
- Not allowed: R-RD, R-L, C-D, C-H, C-BP, I-L, I-E and VS-C
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Desert Hot Springs 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
Desert Hot Springs's code calls this use “Day Care Center”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| R-M | Needs an administrative use permit | § 17.08.030 |
| R-H | Needs an administrative use permit | § 17.08.030 |
| C-N Commercial Neighborhood | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.12.020 |
| C-G Commercial General | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.12.020 |
| MU-N | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.14.020 |
| MU-C | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.14.020 |
| VS-M Visitor-Serving Medium | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.18.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 17.08.220 (S1) / § 17.12.220 (S2) Day Care Center standards.
- 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: Specific plan tables (S13-S17: Desert Gateway, Coachillin', Planning areas PA-1/PA-2, Desert Storage, Pierson Commercial) treated as non-base; SPA-1-02 district (S8) and PD district (S9): uses by list or case by case; Public Use Districts: zone code not given in the text; Zone names for all base codes are not stated in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Desert Hot Springs
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the R-M zone in Desert Hot Springs?
Only with an administrative use permit. Desert Hot Springs's use table lists it that way in R-M (§ 17.08.030).
Can I have a child care center in the R-RD zone in Desert Hot Springs?
No. Desert Hot Springs's use table does not allow it in R-RD (§ 17.08.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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