Home Daycare: Dublin vs Westerville
How do home daycare rules compare between Dublin, OH and Westerville, OH?
Dublin and Westerville have similar restriction levels.
Dublin, OH
Franklin County
Dublin permits Type B family day care homes (1-6 children) as accessory home occupations in residential zones per Dublin Zoning Code 153.073. Operators must obtain Ohio Department of Job and Family Services certification and comply with fire, health, and zoning requirements. Type A homes (7-12 children) require conditional use approval.
View full Dublin 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 | Dublin | Westerville |
|---|---|---|
| Type B | Up to 6 children allowed | - |
| Type A | 7-12 children, conditional use | - |
| State Cert | ODJFS required | - |
| Zoning Code | Dublin 153.073 | - |
| Signage | Under 2 sq ft, non-illuminated | 2 sq ft nameplate max |
| Type B (1-6) | - | Home occupation, ODJFS certified |
| Type A (7-12) | - | Conditional use permit required |
| State Law | - | ORC Chapter 5104 |
| Zones | - | R-1, R-2, R-3 residential |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Dublin FAQ
Do I need a Dublin permit for in-home daycare?
Type B homes with six or fewer children need ODJFS certification and must comply with Dublin home occupation rules. Type A homes require a conditional use permit from the BZA.
Who enforces this in Dublin?
Dublin code enforcement at (614) 410-4400 handles 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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