Broward County, FL Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Broward County Code § 7-35
- Portable/open-flame heaters
- Prohibited outright
- Flashlight requirement
- Operable flashlight required on-site
- Violation class
- Class II: up to $100/day
- Enforcing agency
- Child Care Licensing and Enforcement Section
Summary
Broward County requires every licensed child care facility to screen electric fans, ban portable heaters, keep an operable flashlight for outages, and fit exits with alarms or fenced play yards, enforced by the county's Child Care Licensing and Enforcement Section.
Electric devices. Electric fans, except ceiling fans that are out of reach of children, shall be properly screened and inaccessible to children. Unvented or open flame heaters and portable electric heaters are prohibited. ... Flashlight. An operable flashlight must be kept in the child care facility for use in the event of a power failure. ... Exits. Exits from a child care facility shall open onto safe, protected, fenced areas, or shall have active audible alert mechanisms to alert child care staff when such doors are opened.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Broward County's Child Care Licensing and Enforcement Section (CCLE) enforces detailed physical-facility standards under Sec. 7-35 of the county code: electric fans must be screened and kept out of children's reach, unvented and portable electric heaters are banned outright, an operable flashlight must be on hand for power failures, and exit doors must open onto safe, fenced areas or carry active audible alert mechanisms when opened. Facilities must also maintain minimum drinking-fountain counts and log HVAC filter changes. Falling short of these standards is classified as a Class II Violation under Sec. 7-15(b)(3), fined up to $100 per day, rising to $500 per day for repeat occurrences.
Violations & Fines
Unscreened fans, banned portable/unvented heaters, no on-site flashlight, or exit doors lacking alarms or fenced access is a Class II Violation: fined up to $100 per day, rising to $500 per day for repeat occurrences within two years, under Sec. 7-15(b)-(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Broward County child care center use portable space heaters?
What happens if a center's exit doors lack alarms or fencing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.