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Washington, DC Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Licensing agency
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
First-offense penalty
Up to 6 months or $300 fine
Repeat-offense penalty
Up to 1 year or $5,000
Covered ages
Infants, toddlers, and children up to 15
Exempt
Relatives, babysitters, play groups, DCPS pre-K

Summary

In Washington, D.C., anyone operating a child care center, home, or similar facility must first obtain a license from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, with criminal penalties for operating unlicensed.

Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, no person shall, either directly or indirectly, operate a child development facility in the District without first having obtained a license to do so.

Source: District of Columbia CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

D.C. Code § 7-2034 bars any person from operating a child development facility - a center, home, or other structure caring for children ages 2 to 15, infants under 12 months, or toddlers 12-24 months - without first obtaining a license from the Mayor, administered through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Applicants must submit a license application, supporting documentation, and pay the required fee. Exemptions cover occasional babysitting, informal parent-supervised play groups, care by relatives, and DC Public Schools/Pre-K programs. Operating without a license is a crime: § 7-2046 sets penalties up to 6 months imprisonment or a $300 fine for a first offense, and up to a year or $5,000 for repeat violations.

Violations & Fines

Operating an unlicensed child development facility is a crime: up to 6 months and a $300 fine for a first offense, up to 1 year and $5,000 for repeat violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to run a home daycare in D.C.?
Yes. D.C. Code § 7-2034 requires a license to operate any child development facility, including a home-based one, unless an exemption like occasional babysitting or care by a relative applies.
What happens if I operate without a license?
It's a criminal offense under § 7-2046 - up to 6 months in jail and a $300 fine for a first violation, rising to a year and $5,000 for repeat offenses.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washington

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsBuilding PermitsSome RestrictionsLead PaintSome RestrictionsPlumbing PermitsSome RestrictionsElectrical PermitsSome RestrictionsElevator MaintenanceSome RestrictionsGreen Building CodeHeavy RestrictionsBuilding InspectionsSome RestrictionsCurfew Laws: Juvenile CurfewHeavy RestrictionsTree Protection: Urban Forest EquityLight RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Heat Island MitigationSome RestrictionsZoning Overlays & Bonuses: Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC)Some RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Shoreline ManagementSome Restrictions

All Washington rules

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