East Honolulu, HI Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- ROH 21-5.50(c)(2)
- Child limit
- Up to 6 unrelated children at once
- Alterations
- No exterior changes inconsistent with home
- State oversight
- DHS licensing (HRS Chapter 346)
Summary
A family child care home is a permitted accessory use in East Honolulu under the Land Use Ordinance, allowing care for up to 6 unrelated children at any given time with no exterior alterations inconsistent with the residential character of the building, in addition to State of Hawaii child-care licensing.
Family Child Care Home (A) Defined: An accessory use in a private residence at which care is provided for up to 6 children at any given time who are unrelated to the caregiver by blood, adoption, guardianship, marriage, or other duly authorized custodial relationship. (B) Standards (i) No more than 6 children may be cared for at once. (ii) In the Agricultural Districts, a family child care home must be located in a farm dwelling or farm worker housing. (iii) No internal or external alterations inconsistent with the residential use and character of the building are permitted. (iv) Employees are limited to the following: a. Household members. b. Non-household members serving as a substitute caregiver for family child care home when: 1. The principal caregiver is rendered unavailable by an emergency, including but not limited to illness of the principal caregiver or an immediate relative of the principal caregiver; and 2. Such substitute employment does not exceed 5 days per calendar month plus a single instance of up to 14 days annually.
Full Breakdown
Home daycare in East Honolulu is regulated as a distinct accessory use in the City and County of Honolulu Land Use Ordinance. ' The standards provide that no more than 6 children may be cared for at once; that no internal or external alterations inconsistent with the residential use and character of the building are permitted; and that employees are limited to household members plus, in an emergency that renders the principal caregiver unavailable, one non-household substitute caregiver (not to exceed five days per calendar month plus a single instance of up to 14 days annually).
350(b)) similarly allowed a single substitute caregiver during emergencies. Separately, family child care homes in Hawaii must be registered or licensed by the State Department of Human Services under HRS Chapter 346 and its administrative rules.
Violations & Fines
Operating a family child care home that exceeds the 6-child limit or makes prohibited alterations is a Land Use Ordinance violation enforced by the Department of Planning and Permitting; operating without required State registration is separately enforced by the Department of Human Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can I watch in a home daycare in East Honolulu?
Do I need a state license for a home daycare?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in East Honolulu
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