Santa Paula · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Santa Paula?
In Santa Paula, a child care center is allowed in 1 base zone (C-G, it with a condition), needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) in 14 (HR-PD1, HR-PD2, R-A, R-1, R-1(a) and 9 more, all with a condition) and not allowed in 1 (Santa Paula use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: C-G
- Needs a permit: HR-PD1, HR-PD2, R-A, R-1, R-1(a), R-2, R-3, R-4 and 6 more
- Not allowed: I
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Santa Paula 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
Santa Paula's code calls this use “Day Care Center (See Chapter 16.60)”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C-G | Allowed — see note Code row: “Child Day Care Center (See Chapter 16.60)” Note *: * = Special use conditions and/or development standards apply | § 16.15.020 |
| HR-PD1 Hillside Residential - Planned Development (HR1-PD, 0-1 dwelling units/acre) | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Note *: * = Special conditions apply; see applicable chapter noted in this table. | Division 1 — USE REGULATIONS |
| HR-PD2 Hillside Residential - Planned Development (HR2-PD, 0-3 dwelling units/acre) | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Note *: * = Special conditions apply; see applicable chapter noted in this table. | Division 1 — USE REGULATIONS |
| R-A Rural Residential | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Note *: * = Special conditions apply; see applicable chapter noted in this table. | Division 1 — USE REGULATIONS |
| R-1 Single Family Residential | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Note *: * = Special conditions apply; see applicable chapter noted in this table. | Division 1 — USE REGULATIONS |
| R-1(a) Small Lot Single Family Residential | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Note *: * = Special conditions apply; see applicable chapter noted in this table. | Division 1 — USE REGULATIONS |
| R-2 Medium Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Note *: * = Special conditions apply; see applicable chapter noted in this table. | Division 1 — USE REGULATIONS |
| R-3 Medium-High Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Note *: * = Special conditions apply; see applicable chapter noted in this table. | Division 1 — USE REGULATIONS |
| R-4 High Density Residential | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Note *: * = Special conditions apply; see applicable chapter noted in this table. | Division 1 — USE REGULATIONS |
| MHP Mobile Home Park | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Note *: * = Special conditions apply; see applicable chapter noted in this table. | Division 1 — USE REGULATIONS |
| C-N | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Code row: “Child Day Care Center (See Chapter 16.60)” Note *: * = Special use conditions and/or development standards apply | § 16.15.020 |
| C-O | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Code row: “Child Day Care Center (See Chapter 16.60)” Note *: * = Special use conditions and/or development standards apply | § 16.15.020 |
| CBD | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Code row: “Child Day Care Center (See Chapter 16.60)” Note *: * = Special use conditions and/or development standards apply | § 16.15.020 |
| C-LI | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Code row: “Child Day Care Center (See Chapter 16.60)” Note *: * = Special use conditions and/or development standards apply | § 16.15.020 |
| LI | Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218) — see note Note *: * = Special use conditions and/or development standards apply. | § 16.21.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
I.
What else applies
- S5 row is 'Child Day Care Center (See Chapter 16.60)'; S6 also has 'Day Care Center, Employer-Sponsored Child' (LI C*, I C*). Large and small family day care homes are separate rows (accessory in residential zones).
- 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: Agriculture zone (Chapter 16.11): uses listed in text, zone code not stated; Institutional/Civic zone (Chapter 16.23): uses listed in text, zone code not stated; OPR (Open Space Parks and Recreation) zone: uses listed in text, no residential or commercial-type uses. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Santa Paula
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the HR-PD1 zone in Santa Paula?
Only with a conditional use permit (chapter 16.218). Santa Paula's use table lists it that way in HR-PD1 (Hillside Residential - Planned Development (HR1-PD, 0-1 dwelling units/acre)) (Division 1 — USE REGULATIONS). The code adds a condition: “* = Special conditions apply; see applicable chapter noted in this table.”
Can I have a child care center in the I zone in Santa Paula?
No. Santa Paula's use table does not allow it in I (§ 16.21.020).
Can I have a child care center in the C-G zone in Santa Paula?
Yes, with a condition. Santa Paula's use table lists it as allowed in C-G (§ 16.15.020). The code adds a condition: “* = Special use conditions and/or development standards apply”
General information, not legal advice.
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