Waterford · Land use · Child care center
Where is a child care center allowed in Waterford?
In Waterford, a child care center is needs a permit in 9 (RM, RH, PS, CC, CH and 4 more, 8 with a condition) and not allowed in 2 (Waterford use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RM, RH, PS, CC, CH, CR, IL, IG and 1 more
- Not allowed: RS and CG
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Waterford 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
Waterford's code calls this use “Day care (general)”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RM | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note C: Approval of a use permit shall require a finding that (1) the proposed use will have no significant unmitigated environmental impacts, does not have impacts on surrounding land and uses, in accordance with Chapter 17.72 (Standards of Review); and (2) the building design is compatible with surrounding buildings. Note D: See Chapters 17.75 (Use Permits), 17.73 (Administrative Use Permits), 17.72 (Standards of Review) and 17.76 (Variances). | § 17.20.030 |
| RH | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note C: Approval of a use permit shall require a finding that (1) the proposed use will have no significant unmitigated environmental impacts, does not have impacts on surrounding land and uses, in accordance with Chapter 17.72 (Standards of Review); and (2) the building design is compatible with surrounding buildings. Note D: See Chapters 17.75 (Use Permits), 17.73 (Administrative Use Permits), 17.72 (Standards of Review) and 17.76 (Variances). | § 17.20.030 |
| PS Public and Semipublic | Needs a conditional use permit | § 17.18.020 |
| CC | Needs an use permit (planning commission) — see note Note 7: Planning commission use permit required, except that the planning director may approve use permits for large family day care homes caring for seven to twelve children, as defined in Chapter 3.4 of the California Health and Safety Code . | § 17.24.030 |
| CH | Needs an use permit (planning commission) — see note Note 7: Planning commission use permit required, except that the planning director may approve use permits for large family day care homes caring for seven to twelve children, as defined in Chapter 3.4 of the California Health and Safety Code . | § 17.24.030 |
| CR | Needs an use permit (planning commission) — see note Note 7: Planning commission use permit required, except that the planning director may approve use permits for large family day care homes caring for seven to twelve children, as defined in Chapter 3.4 of the California Health and Safety Code . | § 17.24.030 |
| IL | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note F: See Chapters 17.75, Use Permits and 17.76, Variances. Note J: No general day care facilities or schools shall be permitted as part of a religious assembly facility. Note L: See Chapter 17.42, Mixed Use Compatibility Standards. Note M: See Chapter 17.40, Wireless Communications Facilities. | § 17.26.030 |
| IG | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note F: See Chapters 17.75, Use Permits and 17.76, Variances. Note J: No general day care facilities or schools shall be permitted as part of a religious assembly facility. Note L: See Chapter 17.42, Mixed Use Compatibility Standards. Note M: See Chapter 17.40, Wireless Communications Facilities. | § 17.26.030 |
| IP | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note F: See Chapters 17.75, Use Permits and 17.76, Variances. Note J: No general day care facilities or schools shall be permitted as part of a religious assembly facility. Note L: See Chapter 17.42, Mixed Use Compatibility Standards. Note M: See Chapter 17.40, Wireless Communications Facilities. | § 17.26.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- 'Day care (limited)' is the small home row (P in RE and RS, AU in RM/RH). 'Day care (general)' also covers large family day care homes (see note 7), so it is not centers only.
- 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: PC district (no use table); Chapter 17.22 mobile home park district RM (S11, not used).. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Waterford
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a child care center in the RM zone in Waterford?
Only with an administrative use permit. Waterford's use table lists it that way in RM (§ 17.20.030). The code adds a condition: “Approval of a use permit shall require a finding that (1) the proposed use will have no significant unmitigated environmental impacts, does not have impacts on surrounding land and uses, in accordance with Chapter…”
Can I have a child care center in the RS zone in Waterford?
No. Waterford's use table does not allow it in RS (§ 17.20.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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