Story County, IA Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Child care home
- Permitted accessory use by right
- Child care center
- Principal permitted use in C-LI district
- Conditional use trigger
- Center serving more than six children
- Hours limit
- 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for those centers
- State license
- DHS license required under Iowa Code ch. 237A
- First offense fine
- Up to $750 (Section 93.03)
Summary
In unincorporated Story County, where you can run a child care business depends on whether it counts as a small in-home operation or a licensed center, and centers serving more than six children can only run between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The county's Land Development Regulations put a child care home in with permitted accessory uses in residential and agricultural districts, while a child care center needs the Iowa DHS license required by state law and county zoning approval.
“Child care center” means a facility providing child care or preschool services for children that is licensed as a child care center by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) and as defined in Chapter 237A of the Code of Iowa, as amended. ... “Child care home, in-home day care" means a person or a program located in a single-family dwelling, providing child care and includes child development homes and child care homes as defined by Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS ). ... Child care centers serving more than six children and operating only ... between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. *
Full Breakdown
Story County's Land Development Regulations, Chapter 85, separate two categories. 04(3)(K) for the A-1 Agricultural District, so it does not need a conditional use permit if it otherwise meets the accessory-use standards of that district. 10(2)(C). m. 08 lists for the district in question. Operators still have to separately secure and keep current their DHS child care license, since the county's zoning approval only governs where and when the use can operate, not the licensing standard for the childcare service itself.
Violations & Fines
A child care center or home operating outside its authorized district, exceeding the six-child threshold without a conditional use permit, or running outside the 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. window is enforced the same way as any Land Development Regulations infraction. The Planning and Development Office issues a written Notice of Violation with 30 days to correct or submit a compliance schedule, after which a citation carries civil penalties up to $750 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for each repeat offense, with each day of continued violation a separate infraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run an in-home day care in unincorporated Story County without special zoning approval?
Does a larger child care center need a conditional use permit?
Do I still need a state license if the county approves my zoning?
What happens if a child care center operates outside the 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Story County
Compare Story County to another location·View the Iowa building safety overview
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