Approx. Time: 3-4 Weeks*                                                                                                  Approx. Fee: $100**

The Ordinance is effective in all Unincorporated areas of the County, including the Coastal Zone. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted the Child Care Facilities Ordinance on May 4, 2021.  The Ordinance was certified by the California Coastal Commission on October 14, 2022.

The Ordinance eases and streamlines permitting requirements for child care centers by creating a ministerial approval process. The Ordinance allows child care centers in the following circumstances with a ministerial permit:

 Outside of the Coastal Zone:

  • Within existing buildings, allowing for limited expansion, in areas zoned or designated by the General Plan for Commercial or Institutional, or Commercial Residential Mixed Use land uses.  In urban areas outside of the Coastal Zone, new buildings up to 10,000 sq. ft. may be allowed subject to further criteria.
  • Within converted single-family residences on parcels of conforming size which are zoned for Single-Family Residential land uses.
  • Within existing or expanded institutional buildings or public facilities, as defined by the Ordinance.

 In the Coastal Zone:

  • Within existing buildings, allowing for limited expansion, in areas within an Institutional or Commercial Zoning District or in an existing Institutional Building or Public Facility, as defined by the Ordinance.

 Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the ordinance and the requirements, including but not limited to on-site parking and lighting, for a ministerial permit. Child care centers that do not meet the criteria of the Ordinance require a Use Permit, as well as a Coastal Development Permit (if located in the Coastal Zone).

 To confirm whether your property is within the eligible zoning district and/or General Plan Land Use Designation, please use the Planning Department's “Get Zoning Information” page and Planning GIS portal.

 The application fees for a ministerial permit require a deposit of $100 (payable to San Mateo County) and are due at the time of application submittal. Additional fees may be added depending on staff time spent for permit processing.

 The establishment and operation of a Small or Large Family Child Care Home is permitted in any legal single- or multiple-family residence and does not require a planning permit. Pursuant to State law, Small and Large Family Child Care Homes are considered a residential use of property for the purposes of all County ordinances and are permitted by right where residential uses are allowed. A building permit is required for any new construction or remodeling of the structure.

  • Large Family Child Care Homes are State-licensed, residence-based care facility for up to 14 children, in which less than 24-hour per day, non-medical care and supervision are provided to children in a group setting, operated at the residence of the license holder.
  • Small Family Child Care Homes are State-licensed, residence-based care facility for up to 8 children, in which less than 24-hour per day, non-medical care and supervision are provided to children in a group setting, operated at the residence of the license holder.

See Also:

*

Approximated Time provides an estimated duration for processing of the specified permit only and does not include processing of any appeals. It is not intended to represent an exact timeframe for a specific project, which may be more or less than the time provided. Required permits and processing times vary depending on project complexity and location. For projects requiring multiple permits (e.g., Design Review Permit and Coastal Development Permit), please use the highest of the estimated times for each required permit. These times do not include processing times for non-Planning permits that may be required for the project, such as permits from the Building Inspection Section, Department of Public Works, Environmental Health Division, sewer or water districts, or state or federal agency. To obtain an estimated processing timeframe for a specific project, please call or visit the Current Planning Section and speak with a Planner to identify the required permits and reviews for your project.
 

**

Approximated Fees provide an estimated rounded fee total based on the permit fee and other anticipated review costs of the adopted Planning Service Fee Schedule and do not represent an exact fee amount for a specific project, which may be higher or lower than the fee provided. Required permits and fees vary depending on project complexity and location. For projects requiring multiple permits (e.g., Design Review Permit and Coastal Development Permit), please use the highest of the estimated permit fees and add on the established fees of other required permits from the Planning Service Fee Schedule, to obtain an estimated fee total. Other department review fees, including those of the Geotechnical Section, Department of Public Works, Environmental Health Division, and the applicable fire department, may also apply. To obtain an estimated fee total for a specific project, please call or visit the Current Planning Section and speak with a Planner to identify the required permits and reviews for your project.