Anne Arundel County, MD Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Family child care in Anne Arundel County is permitted by right in all residential zoning districts under Article 18 as a home occupation, but operators must hold an MSDE Office of Child Care license under COMAR 13A.15. A family child care home may serve up to 8 children, including the provider's own, with no more than 2 under age 2. Requirements include: background check (Criminal Justice Information System + FBI), medical exam for provider and household members over 18, CPR and First Aid certification, 24 hours of preservice training, annual continuing education, a fire department inspection for the home, Health Department water potability test if the home is on private well (common in southern parts of the county — Lothian, Harwood, Tracys Landing), outdoor play area, and safe water temperature (not over 120°F). Large family child care homes (up to 12 children, two providers) are available in certain zones and require additional MSDE review. Anne Arundel County charges no separate county daycare permit but does require a home-occupation zoning verification and a rental license if the provider rents the home. Dropoff/pickup traffic must not cause neighborhood congestion under Article 18's home-occupation operating rules.