Compton, CA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Small Daycare
- Up to 8 children, no local permit
- Large Daycare
- Up to 14 children, state license
- State Preemption
- HSC 1597.40
- Local Restriction
- Cannot ban licensed daycare
Summary
Licensed family daycare homes are protected by CA Health & Safety Code 1597.40, which preempts local zoning restrictions. Small family daycare (up to 8 children) requires no local permit. Large family daycare (up to 14 children) needs state licensing but cannot be banned by the city.
1597.44. A small family day care home may provide care for more than six and up to eight children, without an additional adult attendant, if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) At least one child is enrolled in and attending kindergarten or elementary school and a second child is at least six years of age.
(b) No more than two infants are cared for during any time when more than six children are cared for.
(c) The licensee notifies each parent that the facility is caring for two additional schoolage children and that there may be up to seven or eight children in the home at one time.
(d) The licensee obtains the written consent of the property owner when the family day care home is operated on property that is leased or rented. (Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 744, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2004.)
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Compton permits home-based childcare subject to state licensing requirements and local zoning. Large family daycares (up to 12-14 children) may require a conditional use permit. Requirements typically include background checks, CPR/first aid certification, minimum square footage per child, outdoor play area, fire safety inspection, and liability insurance. Pickup and drop-off traffic must not create neighborhood disruption. State licensing agencies conduct regular inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can I care for in my home?
Do I need a zoning permit for a home daycare?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Compton
California rules heatmap·Compare Compton to another location·View the California home business overview
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Home Daycare in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle home daycare.