Coeur d'Alene, ID Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Chapter 5.68, the City of Coeur d'Alene Childcare Facility Ordinance, bars anyone from operating a childcare facility without a city license. A childcare center has thirteen or more children in attendance at any given time at other than a principal residence, while a group childcare center never exceeds twelve. Section 5.68.030(J) sets the facility license conditions, and the license expires December 31 annually. The operator must hold a current childcare owner/operator's license, the facility needs an approved health inspection in the past 365 days, and the city fire department must complete an approved fire inspection in the same window. The owner or operator also shows proof of current fire and liability insurance at initial application and at each renewal.

Outdoor space is a licensing condition. New applicants need a safe, fenced play area built of material suited to the ages of the children, sized at seventy five square feet per child. A facility that cannot meet that number can submit a plan to the City Clerk to use the area in shifts and request a variance. The yard must be kept free of debris, broken equipment, glass, sharp rocks, toxic plants and animal feces, must have a safe drinking water supply meeting Panhandle health district standards, and needs seasonal shade over at least ten percent of the yard from May 1 through October 1. Beach and patio umbrellas do not count. A facility with a pool, wading pool or hot tub holding twenty four inches or more of water must also meet Title 8, Chapter 8.20, keep a Red Cross water safety certificate holder present, and fence the area with no vertical opening wider than four inches and a self-closing, self-latching gate.

Day to day, section 5.68.130 requires a fire extinguisher, smoke detector, telephone with emergency numbers and a fire exit plan on the premises, and staff within sight or hearing of the children with no closed doors between them and the provider. Table A caps a facility at twelve points, and if it serves one age group, Table B sets ratios from 1:4 for babies to 1:15 for school age children. Care past 8:00 P.M. or before 6:00 A.M. adds the overnight rules of section 5.68.035, including separate cots or beds.