Home Daycare: Castro Valley vs San Leandro
How do home daycare rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and San Leandro, CA?
Castro Valley and San Leandro have similar restriction levels.
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County
Family daycare homes are protected by California Health & Safety Code 1597.40, which treats small and large family daycare as residential uses and preempts restrictive local zoning.
View full Castro Valley rules →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
San Leandro allows small (8 or fewer) and large (9-14) family daycare homes in all residential zones under California state preemption. State licensing is required.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castro Valley | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| Preemption statute | Cal. Health & Safety Code 1597.40 | - |
| Small family daycare | Up to 8 children | - |
| Large family daycare | Up to 14 children | - |
| State license | Community Care Licensing (CDSS) | - |
| Local permits | May not require CUP for family daycare | - |
| Small Daycare | - | Up to 8 kids, by right |
| Large Daycare | - | 9-14 kids, permit |
| State Law | - | H and S Code 1597.40 |
| License | - | CDSS required |
| Zoning | - | All residential zones |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Castro Valley FAQ
Does the county license daycares?
No. Family daycare homes are licensed by the California Department of Social Services, not the county.
Can HOAs or CC&Rs ban home daycares?
State law limits the ability of CC&Rs to prohibit family daycare in single-family homes; consult an attorney for specific restrictions.
San Leandro FAQ
Can San Leandro prohibit a family daycare in my neighborhood?
No. State law preempts local bans on small family daycare homes. Large daycares may require a non-discretionary use permit but cannot be banned in residential zones.
Do I need a San Leandro business license for home daycare?
Yes, a city business license is generally required in addition to the state CDSS daycare license.
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