Home Daycare: Atlanta vs Roswell
How do home daycare rules compare between Atlanta, GA and Roswell, GA?
Atlanta and Roswell have similar restriction levels.
Atlanta, GA
Fulton County
Home childcare is regulated by Georgia DECAL. Family homes for 3-6 children need state registration; group homes for 7-12 need a full state license plus city zoning compliance.
View full Atlanta rules →Roswell, GA
Fulton County
Georgia law requires registration or licensure of family day care homes through the Department of Early Care and Learning and limits how strictly local zoning can ban these uses in residential areas.
View full Roswell rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Atlanta | Roswell |
|---|---|---|
| Family Home (3-6) | State registration | - |
| Group Home (7-12) | State license | - |
| Background Checks | Required | - |
| CPR/First Aid | Required | - |
| City Zoning | Home occupation (small) | - |
| Regulator | - | Georgia DECAL |
| Registration | - | 3-6 children |
| License | - | 7-12 children |
| Background checks | - | Required statewide |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Atlanta FAQ
Roswell FAQ
Can a Georgia city ban a family day care home in a single-family zone?
Cities may apply zoning, but state law generally favors home-based child care. Outright bans of registered homes in residential zones face legal challenges and are often unenforceable.
Do I need a state license for watching a few neighborhood kids?
If you regularly care for three or more unrelated children for pay, you must register with DECAL even in a private home. Casual occasional babysitting is generally exempt.
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