Tuolumne County, CA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Code
- Zoning Ordinance Ch. 17.54
- Small homes
- Permitted in SFRs (except O, O-1, M-2)
- Large homes
- Permitted with standards (except O, O-1, M-2)
- Per parcel
- One large family day care home
- Parking
- 2 + 1/2 space per non-resident employee
- State law
- CA Health & Safety Code 1597 (preemption)
Summary
Tuolumne County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17.54 treats small and large family day care homes as permitted uses in single-family residences in nearly all districts (except O, O-1, and M-2), reflecting California state preemption. Large homes must provide parking, a safe drop-off area, fire safety equipment, and meet exterior noise limits.
1597.40.
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that family daycare homes for children should be situated in normal residential surroundings so as to give children the home environment that is conducive to healthy and safe development. It is the public policy of this state to provide children in a family daycare home the same home environment as provided in a traditional home setting.
(b) The Legislature declares this policy to be of statewide concern with the purpose of occupying the field. This act, the state building code, and the fire code, and regulations promulgated pursuant to those provisions, shall preempt local laws, regulations, and rules governing the use and occupancy of family daycare homes. Local laws, regulations, or rules shall not directly or indirectly prohibit or restrict the use of a facility as a family daycare home, including, but not limited to, precluding the operation of a family daycare home. (Repealed and added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 244, Sec. 6. (SB 234) Effective January 1, 2020.)
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
). A). B). 01). State licensing through the California Department of Social Services / Community Care Licensing is separate from County zoning.
Violations & Fines
Operating a large family day care home without meeting the Section 17.54.040 standards (parking, drop-off, fire safety, noise) is a zoning violation. State licensing requirements are enforced separately by the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a family daycare in a home in unincorporated Tuolumne County?
What does a large family day care home have to provide?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tuolumne County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tuolumne County to another location·View the California home business overview
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