Rancho Cucamonga · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Rancho Cucamonga?
In Rancho Cucamonga, a child care center is allowed in 4 base zones (NI, IE, CE1 and CE2, all with a condition), needs a permit in 10 (MH, H, P, NG3L, NG3 and 5 more, all with a condition) and not allowed in 3 (Rancho Cucamonga use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: NI, IE, CE1 and CE2
- Needs a permit: MH, H, P, NG3L, NG3, ME1, ME2, CO1 and 2 more
- Not allowed: OSC, HR and FC/UC
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Rancho Cucamonga 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
Rancho Cucamonga's code calls this use “Child Day Care Facility/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 |
|---|---|---|
| NI Neo-Industrial | Allowed — see note Note 16: Minimum 1,000 feet from a use in an Industrial Zone that accommodates more than 100 trucks per day, more than 40 trucks with operating transport refrigeration units (TRUs) per day, or where TRU unit operations exceed 300 hours per week. Note 17: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use when located within the VL, L, LM, or M zones with a minor use permit. | § 17.30.030 |
| IE Industrial Employment | Allowed — see note Note 16: Minimum 1,000 feet from a use in an Industrial Zone that accommodates more than 100 trucks per day, more than 40 trucks with operating transport refrigeration units (TRUs) per day, or where TRU unit operations exceed 300 hours per week. Note 17: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use when located within the VL, L, LM, or M zones with a minor use permit. | § 17.30.030 |
| CE1 | Allowed — see note Note 12: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use within the NE2 zone with a minor use permit. | § 17.136.020 |
| CE2 | Allowed — see note Note 12: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use within the NE2 zone with a minor use permit. | § 17.136.020 |
| MH Medium High Residential (includes MH-TV) | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note 16: Minimum 1,000 feet from a use in an Industrial Zone that accommodates more than 100 trucks per day, more than 40 trucks with operating transport refrigeration units (TRUs) per day, or where TRU unit operations exceed 300 hours per week. Note 17: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use when located within the VL, L, LM, or M zones with a minor use permit. | § 17.30.030 |
| H High Residential (includes H-TV) | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note 16: Minimum 1,000 feet from a use in an Industrial Zone that accommodates more than 100 trucks per day, more than 40 trucks with operating transport refrigeration units (TRUs) per day, or where TRU unit operations exceed 300 hours per week. Note 17: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use when located within the VL, L, LM, or M zones with a minor use permit. | § 17.30.030 |
| P Parks | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 16: Minimum 1,000 feet from a use in an Industrial Zone that accommodates more than 100 trucks per day, more than 40 trucks with operating transport refrigeration units (TRUs) per day, or where TRU unit operations exceed 300 hours per week. Note 17: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use when located within the VL, L, LM, or M zones with a minor use permit. | § 17.30.030 |
| NG3L | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note 12: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use within the NE2 zone with a minor use permit. | § 17.136.020 |
| NG3 | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note 12: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use within the NE2 zone with a minor use permit. | § 17.136.020 |
| ME1 | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note 12: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use within the NE2 zone with a minor use permit. | § 17.136.020 |
| ME2 | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note 12: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use within the NE2 zone with a minor use permit. | § 17.136.020 |
| CO1 | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note 12: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use within the NE2 zone with a minor use permit. | § 17.136.020 |
| CO2 | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note 12: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use within the NE2 zone with a minor use permit. | § 17.136.020 |
| CE2L | Needs a minor use permit — see note Note 12: A child day care facility/center use may be permitted as an accessory use to an approved assembly use within the NE2 zone with a minor use permit. | § 17.136.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- 'Family Day Care Home' (P in all zones) is the small home row, not used. In VL, L, LM, M and NE-2 a center is allowed only as an accessory use to an approved assembly use with a minor use permit (marks 17 / 12).
- 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 (SP) zones: uses follow each adopted specific plan; Definitions chapter (what 'Residential Care Facility', 'Assembly Use' and 'Agricultural Uses' include) and chapters 17.88 / 17.110 are not in the packet; Cells marked M/N (child day care in VL, L, LM, M and NE-2) are not resolved. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Rancho Cucamonga
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the MH zone in Rancho Cucamonga?
Only with a minor use permit. Rancho Cucamonga's use table lists it that way in MH (Medium High Residential (includes MH-TV)) (§ 17.30.030). The code adds a condition: “Minimum 1,000 feet from a use in an Industrial Zone that accommodates more than 100 trucks per day, more than 40 trucks with operating transport refrigeration units (TRUs) per day, or where TRU unit operations exceed…”
Can I have a child care center in the OSC zone in Rancho Cucamonga?
No. Rancho Cucamonga's use table does not allow it in OSC (Open Space Conservation) (§ 17.30.030).
Can I have a child care center in the NI zone in Rancho Cucamonga?
Yes, with a condition. Rancho Cucamonga's use table lists it as allowed in NI (Neo-Industrial) (§ 17.30.030). The code adds a condition: “Minimum 1,000 feet from a use in an Industrial Zone that accommodates more than 100 trucks per day, more than 40 trucks with operating transport refrigeration units (TRUs) per day, or where TRU unit operations exceed…”
General information, not legal advice.
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