Where is a child care center allowed in Paso Robles?

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

Paso Robles'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-A Residential Agriculture	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
R-1 Single Family Residential	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
R-2 Low Density Multi-Family Residential	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
R-3 Medium Density Multi-Family Residential	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
R-4 Medium High Density Multi-Family Residential	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
R-5 High Density Multi-Unit Family Residential	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
OP Office Professional	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
CP Neighborhood Commercial	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
C-1 General Retail Commercial	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
C-2 Highway Commercial	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
C-3 Commercial/Light Industrial	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
RC Regional Commercial	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
RL Resort/Lodging	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
M Industrial	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
PM Planned Industrial	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
AP Airport	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
AG Agricultural	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
POS Parks and Open Space	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
PF Public Facilities	Needs a conditional use permit	Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Zones where it is not allowed

OS.

What else applies

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 Paso Robles

Who this affects

HomeownersBuyersReal estate agentsSmall developers

Frequently asked questions

Can I have a child care center in the R-A zone in Paso Robles?

Only with a conditional use permit. Paso Robles's use table lists it that way in R-A (Residential Agriculture) (Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS).

Can I have a child care center in the OS zone in Paso Robles?

No. Paso Robles's use table does not allow it in OS (Open Space) (Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS).