Florida law declares family day care homes a valid residential use, preventing Dunedin from zoning them out of residential neighborhoods. Pinellas County licenses these homes locally and operators must register or obtain licensure.
Under Florida Statute 402.313, the operation of a family day care home is statutorily declared a valid residential use of property, meaning Dunedin cannot prohibit family day care homes from operating in any residential zoning district. Pinellas County is one of four Florida counties that locally license child care, so operators must obtain licensing through the Pinellas County License Board rather than the Florida Department of Children and Families. Operators must comply with state caregiver-to-child ratios, background screening, training requirements, and on-site inspections. Dunedin's home occupation standards (parking, signage, no exterior alteration) still apply because they are general residential standards rather than a prohibition on day care use.
Operating without proper Pinellas County licensure can result in cease-and-desist orders, civil penalties, and disqualification from operating a family day care home in Florida.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle home daycare.
See how Dunedin's home daycare rules stack up against other locations.
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