Boise, ID Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Boise's Development Code treats Child or Adult Daycare as a Home Occupation. For one to six adults or children, no application is required if the standards are met; for seven to twelve, a Zoning Compliance Review must first be approved. The provider needs a valid daycare license from the city or state at all times, must provide one off-street parking space per employee, is capped at one 12-square-foot non-illuminated attached sign, and on a collector or arterial street must build an on-site pick-up area so cars don't back onto the road.

A child daycare specifically must provide at least 100 square feet of outdoor play area per child (waivable if nearby public open space serves the same purpose) and 35 square feet of indoor floor area per child, plus meet Fire Department and health inspector rules. The Planning Director can also tack on conditions like extra fencing, landscape screening, or a bigger setback to play areas near busy streets or irrigation ditches.