Fairfield · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Fairfield?
In Fairfield, a child care center is allowed in 7 base zones (RM, RH, RVH, CN, CT and 2 more), needs a conditional use permit in 14 (RVL, RL, RLM, CO, CS and 9 more) and not allowed in 7 (Fairfield use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RM, RH, RVH, CN, CT, CC and HWT
- Needs a permit: RVL, RL, RLM, CO, CS, CR, CM, HO and 6 more
- Not allowed: HD, HDC, IG, ITP, AG, OSC and REC
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Fairfield 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
Fairfield's code calls this use “Child 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RM Residential, Medium Density | Allowed | § 25.20.2 |
| RH Residential, High Density | Allowed | § 25.20.2 |
| RVH | Allowed | § 25.20.2 |
| CN | Allowed | § 25.22.2 |
| CT | Allowed | § 25.22.2 |
| CC | Allowed | § 25.22.2 |
| HWT MU-WTS | Allowed | § 25.23.2 |
| RVL | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.20.2 |
| RL | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.20.2 |
| RLM | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.20.2 |
| CO | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.22.2 |
| CS | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.22.2 |
| CR | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.22.2 |
| CM | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.22.2 |
| HO MU-O | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.23.2 |
| HTD MU-TOD | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.23.2 |
| HR | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.23.2 |
| HPF | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.23.2 |
| IBP | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.24.2 |
| IL | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.24.2 |
| PF | Needs a conditional use permit | § 25.26.2 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 25.32.5 Child Day Care Facilities and Private Schools.
- 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: Zone names are not stated in the packet (only codes).; Heart of Fairfield zones HD and HDC have separate Ground / Upper floor columns. Where the two differ the cells are given as 'HD (ground floor)' / 'HD (upper floors)' (same for HDC); where equal one cell 'HD' / 'HDC'.; Any zone outside Tables 25-1, 25-9, 25-H1, 25-11, 25-13 (planned development / specific plan districts, if any) is not in the packet.; Section 25.50 definitions, Chapter 3 animal rules, 25.22.4.3 (residential in commercial zones), 25.24.3, 25.24.4.1 are cited by the tables but NOT in the packet.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Fairfield
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the RVL zone in Fairfield?
Only with a conditional use permit. Fairfield's use table lists it that way in RVL (§ 25.20.2).
Can I have a child care center in the HD zone in Fairfield?
No. Fairfield's use table does not allow it in HD (§ 25.23.2).
Can I have a child care center in the RM zone in Fairfield?
Yes. Fairfield's use table lists it as allowed in RM (Residential, Medium Density) (§ 25.20.2).
General information, not legal advice.
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