Home Daycare: Honolulu vs Urban Honolulu
How do home daycare rules compare between Honolulu, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI?
Honolulu and Urban Honolulu have similar restriction levels.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu County permits in-home child care as a home occupation under ROH 21-5.350, while the Hawaii Department of Human Services licenses family child care homes caring for three to six unrelated children under HRS 346-151.
View full Honolulu rules →Urban Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Urban Honolulu family child care homes operating in apartments and single-family homes require a Hawaii DHS license under HRS 346-151 and must also satisfy ROH Sec. 21-5.350, with condominium rules frequently adding the tightest constraints.
View full Urban Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Honolulu | Urban Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| State authority | HRS Sec. 346-151 | HRS Sec. 346-151 |
| County authority | ROH Sec. 21-5.350 | ROH Sec. 21-5.350 |
| Children covered | 3 to 6 unrelated | - |
| Licensing | Hawaii DHS | - |
| Substitute caregiver | Allowed with limits | - |
| Licensed range | - | 3 to 6 children |
| Licensor | - | Hawaii DHS |
| Condo overlay | - | Often restrictive |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Honolulu FAQ
How many children can I care for without a license?
Care of two or fewer unrelated children generally does not require a state family child care home license under HRS 346-151. Three or more unrelated children triggers licensing.
Do I need a separate Honolulu County permit to run an in-home daycare?
No standalone county permit exists, but operation must fit within home occupation rules under ROH 21-5.350, including limits on signage and traffic.
Urban Honolulu FAQ
Can I open an in-home daycare in my Urban Honolulu apartment?
State and county rules permit it with a DHS license and compliance with ROH 21-5.350, but most Urban Honolulu condominium documents prohibit daycare uses entirely.
Do I need a separate county permit for a family child care home?
No standalone county permit is required, but the home occupation standards of Sec. 21-5.350 apply, including traffic, signage, and neighborhood character limits.
Compare other topics
See how Honolulu and Urban Honolulu compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool