Walnut Creek · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Walnut Creek?
In Walnut Creek, a child care center is allowed in 1 base zone (MU-D, it with a condition), needs a permit in 15 (R, D-3, M, M-H-D, H-P-D and 10 more, 4 with a condition) and not allowed in 2 (Walnut Creek use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: MU-D
- Needs a permit: R, D-3, M, M-H-D, H-P-D, P-R, C-R, AS-CM and 7 more
- Not allowed: O-S-R and HO P-D
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Walnut Creek 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
Walnut Creek's code calls this use “Child Day Care Facility (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 |
|---|---|---|
| MU-D Downtown Mixed Use District | Allowed — see note Note L(1): Permitted on floors above the ground floor of a multistory building; permitted on the ground floor of a multistory building when located more than fifty (50) feet from the street line of a Core Area retail street; otherwise not permitted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, lobbies and entrance areas accessory to the use are permitted within fifty (50) feet of a Core Area retail street when not occupying more than ten percent (10%) of the gross floor area of the ground floor, nor more than ten percent (10%) of the ground floor building frontage facing a street line; however, in no case shall such lobbies and entrance areas be restricted to less than fifteen (15) feet in width. | § 10-2.2.2302 |
| R Single-Family Residential District (subdistricts R-8, R-8.5, R-10, R-12, R-15, R-20, R-40) | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.102 |
| D-3 Duplex Residential District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.202 |
| M Multiple Family Residential Districts (subdistricts M-0.75, M-1.0, M-1.5, M-2.0, M-2.5, M-3) | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.302 |
| M-H-D High Density Residential Planned Development District | Needs a conditional use permit (within a planned development permit) — see note Note PD: No use shall be permitted in the High Density Residential Planned Development District except in accord with a valid planned development permit or Section 10-2.3.1702, Ministerial Review Required. | § 10-2.2.402 |
| H-P-D Hillside Planned Development District | Needs a planned development permit (only if owned by and used exclusively for the residents of the subdivision) — see note Note L(2): Permitted if such use is owned by and used exclusively for the residents of the subdivision or series of subdivisions which contain such use . Note PD: No use shall be permitted in the Hillside Planned Development District except in accord with a valid Planned Development Permit. | § 10-2.2.506 |
| P-R Pedestrian Retail District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.602 |
| C-R Central Retail District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.702 |
| AS-CM Automobile Sales/Service and Custom Manufacturing District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.1002 |
| S-C Service Commercial District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.1102 |
| B-P Business Park District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.1202 |
| C-C Community Commercial District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.1302 |
| C-F Community Facility District | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.1502 |
| SFH-PD1 Single-Family High-Planned Development District 1 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 10-2.2.2002 |
| MU-C Commercial Mixed Use District | Needs a conditional use permit on part of the building and permitted on upper floors (see note) — see note Note L(1): Permitted on floors above the ground floor of a multi-story building; conditionally permitted on the ground floor of a multi-story building when located more than fifty (50) feet from the street line of a Core Area Retail Street; otherwise not permitted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, lobbies and entrance areas accessory to the use are permitted within fifty (50) feet of a Core Area Retail Street when not occupying more than ten percent (10%) of the gross floor area of the ground floor, nor more than ten percent (10%) of the ground floor building frontage facing a street line; however, in no case shall such lobbies and entrance areas be restricted to less than fifteen (15) feet in width. Consistent with the General Plan, commercial uses shall occupy at least fifty percent (50%) of the gross floor area of the ground floor, excluding parking. | § 10-2.2.2102 |
| MU-R Residential Mixed Use District | Needs a permitted on the ground floor; conditional use permit on upper floors (see note) — see note Note L(4): Permitted on the ground floor of a multistory building; conditionally permitted on the floors above the ground floor of a multistory building. In approving a Conditional Use Permit, the Planning Commission shall find that the proposed use is compatible with residential uses in the same building, and will not negatively impact existing or future residential uses in the same building or surrounding area with respect to noise, odor, traffic, privacy, or other factors. | § 10-2.2.2202 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Part III, Article 6 Child Day Care Facilities.
- Small and Large Family Day Care Homes are separate rows (P in residential districts) and are not used.
- 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: M-U (Mixed Use Planned Development, S10) has no use table.; Overlay and specific-plan districts are not in the packet.. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Walnut Creek
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the R zone in Walnut Creek?
Only with a conditional use permit. Walnut Creek's use table lists it that way in R (Single-Family Residential District (subdistricts R-8, R-8.5, R-10, R-12, R-15, R-20, R-40)) (§ 10-2.2.102).
Can I have a child care center in the O-S-R zone in Walnut Creek?
No. Walnut Creek's use table does not allow it in O-S-R (Open Space/Recreation District) (§ 10-2.2.1402).
Can I have a child care center in the MU-D zone in Walnut Creek?
Yes, with a condition. Walnut Creek's use table lists it as allowed in MU-D (Downtown Mixed Use District) (§ 10-2.2.2302). The code adds a condition: “Permitted on floors above the ground floor of a multistory building; permitted on the ground floor of a multistory building when located more than fifty (50) feet from the street line of a Core Area retail street;…”
General information, not legal advice.
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