Home Daycare: Honolulu vs Waipahu
How do home daycare rules compare between Honolulu, HI and Waipahu, HI?
Honolulu and Waipahu 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 →Waipahu, HI
Honolulu County
Waipahu residents offering in-home child care must register under HRS Sec. 346-151 as a family child care home and comply with ROH Sec. 21-5.350 home occupation requirements.
View full Waipahu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Honolulu | Waipahu |
|---|---|---|
| State authority | HRS Sec. 346-151 | - |
| County authority | ROH Sec. 21-5.350 | - |
| Children covered | 3 to 6 unrelated | - |
| Licensing | Hawaii DHS | - |
| Substitute caregiver | Allowed with limits | - |
| - | - |
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.
Waipahu FAQ
Can I care for my relatives' children without a license?
Care for related children typically does not count toward the three-to-six unrelated children definition, but regular care of unrelated children for compensation requires DHS licensing under HRS Sec. 346-151.
Do I need a permit for a child care drop-off zone?
No separate permit is required, but drop-off and pickup traffic must remain modest enough to satisfy ROH Sec. 21-5.350 home occupation standards on traffic and parking.
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