Fayetteville, AR Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Home Occupation
- Up to 6 children
- Larger Daycare
- Use Unit 25 commercial
- State Licensing
- Arkansas DHS/DCCECE
- Inspections
- State conducts
Summary
In Fayetteville, caring for up to six children counts as a home occupation and an allowed residential use under UDC Chapter 151. Larger childcare is a commercial day care (Use Unit 25) needing appropriate zoning, and Arkansas DHS licensing applies once you serve unrelated children.
The term home occupation shall include a child care facility handling not more than six (6) children at one (1) time.
Full Breakdown
Fayetteville ties home childcare to its home occupation rules. The Unified Development Code (Chapter 151) states that a home occupation includes a child care facility handling not more than six children at one time, so small home daycare is a residential home-occupation use. Facilities above that size fall under Use Unit 25 'Day care,' a commercial use that must locate in a district where such uses are allowed. Separately, Arkansas requires child care providers to register or license through the state (Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, Ark. Code §20-78-201 et seq.) once they care for unrelated children for compensation, with background checks and inspections.
Violations & Fines
Running an oversized or unlicensed home daycare can bring state closure orders and fines, plus city zoning enforcement of up to $500 per offense under §10.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many kids can I watch in my Fayetteville home?
Do I need a state license for home daycare?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fayetteville
Compare Fayetteville to another location·View the Arkansas home business overview
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Home Daycare in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Washington County handle home daycare.