Auburn, AL Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

05 of the Zoning Ordinance treats family child care as an accessory use, not a home business exemption, so the resident must apply for and receive a zoning certificate from the Planning Director before opening. The activity has to be licensed to and run by a resident of the dwelling, must stay clearly incidental to the home's residential use, and cannot use any new or existing accessory structure such as a converted garage or shed. Auburn caps enrollment at six non-resident children at any one time and caps staffing at four total people working the business, meaning only two can be non-resident employees, and only if there is enough off-street parking for their vehicles.

No sign of any kind is permitted. The dwelling's exterior and the neighborhood's residential character cannot be altered, and the operation cannot generate traffic, on-street parking, or noise beyond what a normal residential block already experiences. Every family child care home must also hold a valid State of Alabama license at all times; a copy goes to the Planning Director on request, and if the state revokes or the license expires, the City's zoning certificate is automatically void the same day. 02, it must be obtained before the activity begins.