Moore, OK Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Chapter 9-4 of the Moore Code of Ordinances governs every day care center, defined at Sec 9-401 as a place, home or institution caring for eight or more unrelated children under age 16 for compensation on a regular basis. Sec 9-403 makes state licensing the threshold requirement, providing that no day care center may be operated in the city, regardless of zoning, without the license of approval of the state department of human services, operating under their rules and regulations. Beyond the state license, Sec 9-405 requires every day care center to operate in accordance with the city's own zoning regulations, and Sec 9-406 authorizes the director of the health department, the fire marshal and Department of Human Services officials or their designated representatives to inspect the facility during reasonable operating hours, without advance notice requirements written into the section.

Sec 9-402 exempts public and private schools regulated by the state department of education, facilities operating under a court custody order, care among relatives within the third degree, and institutions providing incidental childcare of four hours or less while parents attend the institution's own activities. Sec 9-407 grandfathers any day care center lawfully operating on February 2, 1983, allowing it to continue. Enforcement responsibility for the whole chapter rests with the city's code enforcement officer under Sec 9-408.