Akron, OH Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

141. 140 defines a "day nursery" as a place providing care and maintenance for three or more children who are not all members of one family and who are separated from their parents, guardian, or persons in loco parentis during part of the day for more than four consecutive days, excluding public or parochial schools. A "boarding home for children" is one that provides care, food, or lodging for more than five children unattended by a parent or guardian. To get licensed, the operator files a written application with the Director of Health, who forwards four copies to the Superintendent of Building Inspection and Regulation, the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention for recommendations.

Each application carries a five-dollar fee payable to the Director of Finance by September 1 for the following twelve-month period. The License Clerk cannot issue the license until the Director of Health and the Fire Prevention Chief certify the premises are proper for the use and the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals have approved it as a Class Uc use under the Zoning Code. 142 requires the Director of Health to inspect the premises and set the maximum number of children the home may care for, and licensed homes are then periodically reinspected by the Director of Health, the Superintendent of Building Inspection and Regulation, and the Fire Prevention Chief.

143 lets the Department of Public Health set additional health standards for these homes. A license under this article cannot be assigned or transferred to another operator or location.