Poway · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Poway?
In Poway, a child care center is needs a conditional use permit in 14 (RR-A, RR-B, RR-C, RS-1, RS-2 and 9 more) (Poway use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RR-A, RR-B, RR-C, RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-4, RS-7 and 6 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Poway 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
Poway's code calls this use “A. Child care centers other than family day care homes”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RR-A | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.08.120 |
| RR-B | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.08.120 |
| RR-C | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.08.120 |
| RS-1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.08.120 |
| RS-2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.08.120 |
| RS-3 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.08.120 |
| RS-4 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.08.120 |
| RS-7 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.08.120 |
| RC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.08.120 |
| RA | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.08.120 |
| CO | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.10.060 |
| CN | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.10.060 |
| CB | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.10.060 |
| CG | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.10.060 |
What else applies
- Family day care homes (small and large) are P in every residential zone (S2). Adult day care center is a separate row.
- 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: Industrial and other zones outside the packet sections (e.g. light industrial) are not covered; PC zones follow their own development plan text. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Poway
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the RR-A zone in Poway?
Only with a conditional use permit. Poway's use table lists it that way in RR-A (§ 17.08.120).
General information, not legal advice.
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