Sacramento County, CA Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Up to 8 children
- Permitted by right
- 9-14 children
- Minor Use Permit required
- 15+ children
- Conditional Use Permit required
- Governing section
- Zoning Code Sec. 3.6.5.B
- Excludes
- Multifamily zoning districts
Summary
Child day care center capacity in unincorporated Sacramento County sets the permit tier: facilities for eight or fewer children need no permit, nine to fourteen require a Minor Use Permit, and fifteen or more need a Conditional Use Permit.
In the agricultural, agricultural-residential, residential, and recreational zoning districts, a child day care center facility with:
Capacity of up to eight persons shall be permitted by right;
Capacity between nine and 14 persons shall be permitted, subject to a Minor Use Permit approved by the Planning Director;
Capacity of 15 or more persons shall be subject to a Conditional Use Permit approved by the Zoning Administrator.
These standards do not apply in the multifamily zones. [ADDED 07-16-2020]
3.6.5.C. Congregate Care Facility, Convalescent Hospital, and Social Rehabilitation Center Section titled “3.6.5.C. Congregate Care Facility, Convalescent Hospital, and Social Rehabilitation Center”
In the agricultural and agricultural-residential zoning districts, congregate care facilities, convalescent hospitals, and social rehabilitation centers shall be subject to issuance of a Conditional Use Permit approved by the Planning Commission in addition to complying with Section 3.6.0.
Full Breakdown
Zoning Code Section 3.6.5.B tiers child day care centers by capacity in agricultural, agricultural-residential, residential, and recreational zoning districts. A facility serving up to eight children is permitted by right with no zoning review. Between nine and fourteen children requires a Minor Use Permit approved administratively by the Planning Director. Fifteen or more children triggers a discretionary Conditional Use Permit approved by the Zoning Administrator, which includes public notice and findings. The standards do not apply in multifamily zones, where child day care centers are regulated separately under the multifamily use tables.
Violations & Fines
Operating a child day care center above its permitted capacity tier without the required Minor Use or Conditional Use Permit is a zoning code violation subject to County enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many kids can a child day care center serve in Sacramento County without a permit?
What permit does a larger child care center need?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California building safety overview
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