Bellingham, WA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Accessory use threshold
- Up to 12 children, no permit
- Over 12 children
- Regulated as home occupation
- Adult day care cap
- 10 elderly adults max
- Outdoor play area
- 75 sq ft per child, 750 min
Summary
Bellingham treats state-licensed family child care homes serving up to 12 children as an outright accessory use, but larger in-home mini-day centers count as a home occupation.
The care of up to 12 children under the age of 12 years, including children who reside at the home, supervised by the occupant of the residence and licensed as a "family child care home" by the state of Washington shall be regarded as an accessory use requiring no permit. All day care facilities, including family day care homes, shall comply with state regulations and licensing requirements.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-06-015, passed June 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
BMC 20.16.020(D)(1) defines day care as supervised nonmedical care under 24 hours and splits home-based care by size. A "family child care home", up to 12 children including the occupant's own kids, run by the resident and licensed by Washington state, is an accessory use requiring no separate city permit, though it must still meet all state licensing rules. Once a home operation exceeds 12 children it becomes a "mini-day center," regulated instead as a home occupation. Nonresidential day centers and adult day care (up to 10 elderly adults) are conditional uses in residential single, multi, and neighborhood commercial zones, requiring state licensing, fencing along arterial streets, and 75 square feet of fenced outdoor play area per child.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unlicensed day care, or exceeding the 12-child accessory-use threshold without converting to the required home-occupation or conditional-use permit, is a civil infraction under BMC 20.52.010, up to $500 for a first offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a city permit to run a licensed home daycare in Bellingham for 8 kids?
What happens if my home daycare grows past 12 children?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellingham
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