Home Daycare: Petaluma vs Rohnert Park
How do home daycare rules compare between Petaluma, CA and Rohnert Park, CA?
Petaluma and Rohnert Park have similar restriction levels.
Petaluma, CA
Sonoma County
California law (HSC 1597.45-1597.46, as amended by SB 234) makes small and large family daycare homes a residential use by right. Sonoma County cannot require a use permit or impose a business license, fee, or tax to operate one; the state licenses providers.
View full Petaluma rules →Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma County
California law (HSC 1597.45-1597.46, as amended by SB 234) makes small and large family daycare homes a residential use by right. Sonoma County cannot require a use permit or impose a business license, fee, or tax to operate one; the state licenses providers.
View full Rohnert Park rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Petaluma | Rohnert Park |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | HSC 1597.45-1597.46 (SB 234) | HSC 1597.45-1597.46 (SB 234) |
| Zoning status | Residential use by right | Residential use by right |
| Small home capacity | 8 or fewer children | 8 or fewer children |
| Large home capacity | 7 to 14 children | 7 to 14 children |
| Local fee/tax | Prohibited (HSC 1597.45(b)) | Prohibited (HSC 1597.45(b)) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Petaluma FAQ
Does Sonoma County require a permit to run a family daycare at home?
No. Under HSC 1597.45, a small or large family daycare home is a residential use by right, and the County cannot require a use permit or impose a business license, fee, or tax. Providers do need a California Department of Social Services license.
How many children can a family daycare home serve?
Under HSC 1596.78, a small family daycare home serves eight or fewer children and a large family daycare home serves 7 to 14 children, inclusive, subject to state licensing and State Fire Marshal safety standards.
Rohnert Park FAQ
Does Sonoma County require a permit to run a family daycare at home?
No. Under HSC 1597.45, a small or large family daycare home is a residential use by right, and the County cannot require a use permit or impose a business license, fee, or tax. Providers do need a California Department of Social Services license.
How many children can a family daycare home serve?
Under HSC 1596.78, a small family daycare home serves eight or fewer children and a large family daycare home serves 7 to 14 children, inclusive, subject to state licensing and State Fire Marshal safety standards.
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