Denver, CO Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Small daycare limit
- 6 children, plus 2 before/after school
- Large daycare range
- 7 to 12 children, permit required
- Residency rule
- Operator's primary residence required
- Adjacency rule
- Traffic management plan needed near other large homes
- Governing code
- Denver Zoning Code § 11.9.3
Summary
Denver allows small home daycares (up to 6 children) as a home occupation, but large child care homes (7 to 12 children) need a zoning permit requiring owner-occupancy, full-time supervision, and a traffic plan if next to another large home daycare.
Large Child Care Home, where permitted with limitations, is permitted as a Home Occupation subject to compliance with the following limitations: The applicant shall be the owner or the applicant has written permission of the owner of the subject property. The proposed Large Child Care Home is the applicant's primary place of residence. ... the proposed home shall provide full-time supervision of the children in the home during hours of operation; and ... shall comply with the limitations on external effects as established for primary uses in the district in which it is located.
Full Breakdown
Denver's zoning code treats home daycare as a Home Occupation. A Small Child Care Home (up to 6 children, plus 2 before/after-school) is permitted with only the general home-occupation limitations. A Large Child Care Home (7 to 12 children) needs a zoning permit and must be the operator's primary residence; the operator must own the property or have the owner's written permission, provide full-time supervision during hours of operation, and comply with the district's limitations on external effects. If a proposed large home is adjacent to another already-operating large child care home, the Zoning Administrator must find that a traffic management program will prevent traffic or parking problems from drop-off and pick-up before approving it.
Violations & Fines
Operating a Large Child Care Home without a zoning permit, without owner-occupancy, or without full-time supervision during hours of operation violates Denver Zoning Code § 11.9.3 and can trigger permit revocation or zoning enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a daycare from my home in Denver?
What's different about a Large Child Care Home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
Compare Denver to another location·View the Colorado home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.