Colusa County, CA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Colusa County's day care rules in Zoning Code Section 44-4.20 track California's strong preemption protecting in-home child care. Section 44-4.20.010 states that a small family day care home "is considered a residential use and is subject to the same standards and requirements as a residence in the same zone," meaning the County cannot impose special zoning permits on a small family day care beyond what applies to a dwelling. Day care facilities and group care centers must be operated in compliance with state law, and licensing by the California Department of Social Services is required for community care facilities. For larger operations, Section 44-4.20.020 provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of the code, a large family day care, a non-residential child care center, or a group day care center is allowed only if listed standards are met and the appropriate discretionary permit is approved. Those standards include that the large family day care or child care center not be located within three hundred feet of an existing family day care (large or small) or child care center; that sufficient parking provide at least one off-street space per non-resident employee plus one space for every five children; that the structure meet the State Fire Marshal regulations in Title 24; and that the operation comply with all applicable laws and ordinances. These provisions mirror the limited local authority allowed under state daycare law.