Jackson County, GA Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

UDC Sec. 3-024 splits childcare by size and applies escalating physical-site standards. Child care learning centers (19 or more children) under Sec. 3-024(a) must meet the state's Rules for Child Care Learning Centers, Chapter 591-1-1, and must provide outdoor play areas in a rear or side yard enclosed by a solid wall or fence at least six feet high, plus an adequate driveway, turnaround or parking area for safe drop-off and pick-up. Group day care homes (seven to 18 children) under Sec. 3-024(b) carry the identical six-foot enclosed play area and safe drop-off requirement, tied to the state's Chapter 290-2-1 rules.

Across all three covered uses, child care learning centers, group day care homes and adult day services, Sec. 3-024(e) sets minimum space ratios: at least 150 square feet of outdoor play area and at least 35 square feet of indoor space for each child or other person served, with the outdoor play area enclosed by a fence at least four feet high. Building permits and site plan review for these facilities run through the public development department, which checks the fenced play area, driveway and parking layout, and space calculations against the application before occupancy is authorized.