Yolo County, CA Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Home care ≤8 kids
- Allowed by right, all zones
- 9-14 kids
- Site Plan Review under Sec. 8-2.506(g)
- Center >14 kids
- Site Plan Review required, Sec. 8-2.506(h)
- Center under 20 kids
- Minor Use Permit possible
- Center over 20 kids
- Major Use Permit possible
- Zones
- RR-5, RR-2, R-M, R-H plus commercial
Summary
A stand-alone child care center for more than fourteen children isn't a by-right use anywhere in unincorporated Yolo County. Sec. 8-2.506(h) requires a Site Plan Review in the RR-5, RR-2, R-M, and R-H zones and specified commercial zones, and the Planning Director can escalate a small center to a Minor Use Permit or a large one to a Major Use Permit.
Child care centers are non-residential facilities that typically provide care for more than fourteen (14) children. They include infant centers, child care centers, daycare centers, preschools, nursery schools, and after-school programs. Child care centers are allowed with the issuance of a Site Plan Review in the RR-5, RR-2, R-M and R-H zones, and in specified commercial zones, provided that the project is designed to be compatible with any adjoining single family residences. At the discretion of the Planning Director, a Minor Use Permit may be required for a project under twenty (20) children, or a Major Use Permit may be required for a project larger than twenty (20) children, if there are any compatibility issues, or if any of the following development standards are not met:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Supplement 2026 S-21 includes: Local legislation current through Ord. 1584, effective June 25, 2026).
Full Breakdown
45. Large family child care serving nine to fourteen children needs a Site Plan Review in the A-N, A-X, RR-5, RR-2, R-L, and R-M zones and specified commercial zones under Sec. 506(g), and the Planning Director can require a Minor Use Permit if there are density, traffic, parking, or noise impacts. A stand-alone child care center, defined in Sec. 506(h) as a non-residential facility typically caring for more than fourteen children (including infant centers, daycare centers, preschools, nursery schools, and after-school programs), needs its own Site Plan Review in the RR-5, RR-2, R-M, and R-H zones and specified commercial zones.
The Planning Director can require a Minor Use Permit for a center under twenty children, or a Major Use Permit for one over twenty children, if there are compatibility issues or if any of three development standards aren't met: the project must be designed to be compatible with adjoining single-family residences, including setbacks, landscaping, and parking; adequate land must be available for on-site services such as leachfields if the project isn't connected to public water and sewer; and the project must meet, or be on track to meet, all applicable State operating permit requirements before it opens.
Violations & Fines
Operating a child care center above the table's threshold without the required Site Plan Review, Minor Use Permit, or Major Use Permit is a Zoning Code violation. Sec. 1-5.04 treats the unpermitted use as a public nuisance the county can abate, and the Enforcement Official may issue a courtesy notice or administrative citation before pursuing criminal prosecution under Sec. 1-2.01, punishable by up to $500 and six months in jail, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can a home-based day care serve without a permit in Yolo County?
What permit does a stand-alone child care center need?
What can trigger a Minor or Major Use Permit for a child care center?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yolo County
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