Home Daycare: Columbus vs Westerville
How do home daycare rules compare between Columbus, OH and Westerville, OH?
Columbus and Westerville 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 →Westerville, OH
Franklin County
Westerville permits Type B family child care homes (1-6 children) in residential districts as home occupations under Codified Ordinances Chapter 1149. Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) licensing required under ORC Chapter 5104. Larger Type A homes (7-12 children) need conditional use approval from the Westerville Planning Commission.
View full Westerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Columbus | Westerville |
|---|---|---|
| Type A | 7-12 children, full license | - |
| Type B | 1-6 children, certification | - |
| State Law | ORC 5104 | ORC Chapter 5104 |
| County Zoning | Unincorporated areas only | - |
| Background | BCI + FBI required | - |
| Type B (1-6) | - | Home occupation, ODJFS certified |
| Type A (7-12) | - | Conditional use permit required |
| Zones | - | R-1, R-2, R-3 residential |
| Signage | - | 2 sq ft nameplate max |
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.
Westerville FAQ
Do I need a Westerville permit to run a home daycare?
Type B homes (up to 6 children) need ODJFS certification but no city permit beyond the general home occupation rules. Type A homes require a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission.
Can I watch my neighbors kids without a license?
Ohio allows informal care for children from one unrelated family without ODJFS certification. Caring for children from 2+ unrelated families triggers Type B certification requirements under ORC 5104.02.
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