Where is a child care center allowed in Goleta?

Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Goleta 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

Goleta's code calls this use “Day Care Facility”. 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
CC Community Commercial	Allowed	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
OT Old Town—Commercial	Allowed	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
CG General Commercial	Allowed	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
BP Business Park	Allowed	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
OI Office Institutional	Allowed	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
PQ Public and Quasi-Public	Allowed	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
RS Single Family Residential	Needs a minor conditional use permit	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
RP Planned Residential	Needs a minor conditional use permit	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
RM Residential—Medium Density	Needs a minor conditional use permit	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
RH Residential—High Density	Needs a minor conditional use permit	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
CR Regional Commercial	Needs a minor conditional use permit	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
VS Visitor Serving—Commercial	Needs a minor conditional use permit	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
CI Intersection or Highway Commercial	Needs a minor conditional use permit	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
IS Service Industrial	Needs a major conditional use permit	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses
IG General Industrial	Needs a major conditional use permit	Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses

Zones where it is not allowed

RMHP.

What else applies

Standards for this use: § 17.41.110 Day Care Facilities.
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.
Overlay zones and specific plans can change the answer for a lot.

Other uses in Goleta

Who this affects

HomeownersBuyersReal estate agentsSmall developers

Frequently asked questions

Can I have a child care center in the RS zone in Goleta?

Only with a minor conditional use permit. Goleta's use table lists it that way in RS (Single Family Residential) (Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses).

Can I have a child care center in the RMHP zone in Goleta?

No. Goleta's use table does not allow it in RMHP (Residential—Mobile Home Park) (Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses).

Can I have a child care center in the CC zone in Goleta?

Yes. Goleta's use table lists it as allowed in CC (Community Commercial) (Part II — Base Zoning District Standards and Allowed Uses).

General information, not legal advice.