Home Daycare: Columbus vs Grove City
How do home daycare rules compare between Columbus, OH and Grove City, OH?
Columbus and Grove City have similar restriction levels.
Columbus, OH
Franklin County
Franklin County family child care homes follow Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) licensing under ORC 5104. Type A homes (7-12 children) require full licensing; Type B homes (1-6 children) require certification. County zoning resolution allows Type B homes as permitted use in residential districts; Type A homes require conditional use approval.
View full Columbus rules →Grove City, OH
Franklin County
Grove City permits Type A and Type B family child care homes as home occupations in residential zones, subject to Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) licensing under ORC 5104. Type B homes (up to 6 children) generally permitted by right; Type A (7-12 children) requires a conditional use permit from the Grove City Planning Commission.
View full Grove City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Columbus | Grove City |
|---|---|---|
| Type A | 7-12 children, full license | - |
| Type B | 1-6 children, certification | - |
| State Law | ORC 5104 | ORC 5104 + ODJFS license |
| County Zoning | Unincorporated areas only | - |
| Background | BCI + FBI required | - |
| Type B (1-6 kids) | - | Permitted by right |
| Type A (7-12 kids) | - | Conditional use permit |
| Operator | - | Must reside on-site |
| Fencing | - | Required for outdoor play |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Columbus FAQ
Who enforces this in Franklin County?
Franklin County code enforcement at (614) 525-3322 handles most complaints.
Who enforces this in Franklin County?
Franklin County code enforcement at (614) 525-3322 handles most complaints.
Grove City FAQ
Do I need a Grove City permit to run a Type B daycare?
No separate city permit is required for Type B (up to 6 children), but you must have ODJFS certification and comply with zoning home-occupation standards.
Can I convert my garage for daycare use?
Structural conversions require a building permit and may trigger a zoning review for change of use.
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