Spokane County, WA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- License issuer
- WA DCYF (state)
- Family home capacity
- Up to 12 children at a time
- Governing law
- RCW 43.216; WAC 110-300
- Zoning
- County can't ban licensed family home
- Unlicensed penalty
- $150/day (family home)
Summary
Running a child care in your Spokane-area home requires a Washington DCYF family home license. A licensed family home provider may care for up to 12 children at a time. Providing care without a license triggers a stop order and daily penalties.
"Family day care provider" and "family home provider" mean a child care provider who regularly provides early childhood education and early learning services for not more than 12 children at any given time in the provider's home in the family living quarters.
Full Breakdown
Child care in Washington is licensed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) under RCW 43.216 and WAC 110-300. A "family day care provider" (family home provider) is defined as one who regularly provides early learning services for not more than 12 children at a time in the provider's home. Under state Growth Management law, a county may not prohibit a licensed family day care home in a residential zone, so Spokane County allows it as a residential use subject to the DCYF license and health/safety standards. If DCYF finds unlicensed care, the provider must immediately stop until licensed.
Violations & Fines
Providing unlicensed care draws a stop order and a civil penalty of $150 per day for an unlicensed family day care home and $250 per day for a child day care center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to babysit in my home?
Can Spokane County zoning ban my home daycare?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane County
Compare Spokane County to another location·View the Washington home business overview
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