Bradenton, FL Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Section 4.3.5 of the Land Use Regulations governs day care centers in the City of Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida. A center can operate only in the districts marked for it on schedules 3.2.1.1 (residential) and 3.2.1.2 (mixed-use and non-residential). In a residential district the route is a special use permit, and section 4.3.5.1 sets a land-area floor before the application can be filed: 6,000 square feet for a center with up to 30 children, and 10,000 square feet for a center with more than 30. Special uses are reviewed under section 3.3, with the application procedure in section 2.2.4.

Section 4.3.5.2 adds two site conditions on top of the permit. Signs at centers in non-residential districts must meet subsection 5.5, while in residential districts a center gets one sign of a maximum six square feet unless the special use permit says otherwise. A landscaped buffer at least ten feet deep must run along all property lines and streets adjoining the property, planted with landscaping materials and a tree every 50 feet as defined in subsection 4.1.4.4, unless the permit stipulates otherwise.

Small operations sit outside this scheme. Footnote (2) to schedule 3.2.1.1 exempts adult and child day care centers with six or less clients, and family day care homes licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, from zoning requirements. The chapter 10 definition of a day care center is a State of Florida licensed establishment caring for 11 or more children or seven or more adults for periods not to exceed 24 hours. Inside a home, schedule 5.1.1 allows day care for no more than ten children or six adults at one residence unless a special use permit has been issued.

Location matters too. Footnote (9) to schedule 3.2.1.2 bars day care centers, schools, churches and other religious establishments from sitting within 500 feet of any adult entertainment establishment. Schedule 4.1.4.1 requires 1 parking space per 10 clients for a day care center, in addition to 1 per staff and faculty member listed for educational uses.