Home Daycare: Bostonia vs El Cajon
How do home daycare rules compare between Bostonia, CA and El Cajon, CA?
Bostonia and El Cajon have similar restriction levels.
Bostonia, CA
San Diego County
Home daycare in unincorporated San Diego County is regulated by California Community Care Licensing. Small family daycare (up to 8 children) is allowed by right in residential zones under state law. Large family daycare (9–14 children) may require a use permit. All require state licensing.
View full Bostonia rules →El Cajon, CA
San Diego County
Small family daycare homes (up to 8 children) are permitted by right in all residential zones in El Cajon under California Health and Safety Code Section 1597.45. Large family daycare homes (9-14 children) require a use permit. All providers must be licensed by the California Department of Social Services.
View full El Cajon rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bostonia | El Cajon |
|---|---|---|
| Small (1–8 kids) | Allowed by right in residential zones | - |
| Large (9–14 kids) | May need county use permit | - |
| State License | Required from CCLD | CA Dept of Social Services |
| State Law | H&S Code §1597.45 | CA H&S Code §1597.45 |
| Fire Clearance | Required from County Fire Authority | - |
| Small (1-8 kids) | - | Permitted by right in all zones |
| Large (9-14 kids) | - | Use permit required |
| Business License | - | Required — ECMC Title 5 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bostonia FAQ
Can I run a daycare from my home in unincorporated San Diego County?
Yes. Small family daycare (up to 8 children) is permitted by right in all residential zones under state law. You must obtain a license from California Community Care Licensing Division.
Do I need a county permit for a large daycare?
Large family daycare homes (9-14 children) may require a use permit from the County. Contact County PDS to determine requirements for your specific zoning designation.
What licensing is required?
All family daycare operations require a license from the California Community Care Licensing Division. This involves background checks, facility inspections, fire clearance, and completion of required training.
El Cajon FAQ
Can I run a daycare from my home in El Cajon?
Yes. Small family daycare homes (up to 8 children) are permitted by right in all residential zones under state law. A California CDSS license and city business license are required.
Do I need a permit for a large family daycare?
Yes. Large family daycare homes serving 9-14 children require a conditional use permit from the city in addition to the state license.
What fire safety requirements apply to home daycare?
Heartland Fire & Rescue must issue a fire clearance for the daycare home. This includes working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and meeting egress requirements.
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