Home Daycare: Grove City vs Westerville
How do home daycare rules compare between Grove City, OH and Westerville, OH?
Grove City and Westerville have similar restriction levels.
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 →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 | Grove City | Westerville |
|---|---|---|
| Type B (1-6 kids) | Permitted by right | - |
| Type A (7-12 kids) | Conditional use permit | - |
| State Law | ORC 5104 + ODJFS license | ORC Chapter 5104 |
| Operator | Must reside on-site | - |
| Fencing | Required for outdoor play | - |
| 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.
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.
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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