State law makes licensed small and large family daycare homes, serving up to 14 children, a residential use by right; Sonoma County cannot apply commercial zoning rules or require discretionary permits for them.
Health and Safety Code Section 1597.45(a), strengthened by Senate Bill 234 effective January 1, 2020, provides that the use of a home as a small or large family daycare home is a residential use of property and a use by right for purposes of all local ordinances, including zoning. Section 1596.78 defines a small family daycare home as serving eight or fewer children and a large family daycare home as serving 7 to 14 children. The protection covers detached single-family homes, townhouses, and units in multifamily buildings, whether owned or rented. Operators in unincorporated Sonoma County still need a child care license from the California Department of Social Services.
Family daycare is state-protected, so county zoning restrictions conflicting with Section 1597.45 are unenforceable; however, operating a family daycare home without a state child care license is subject to enforcement by the California Department of Social Services.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County sets no local vehicle noise limits; state law controls. California Vehicle Code Section 27150 requires an adequate muffler on every motor vehic...
Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County applies General Plan Noise Element Table NE-2 performance standards to industrial and commercial noise in unincorporated areas: an hourly media...
Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County does not regulate in-flight aircraft noise (preempted by FAA). The Sonoma County Comprehensive Airport Land Use Plan sets compatibility standar...
Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County does not maintain a separate curb-color code for unincorporated areas; painted curb markings follow the statewide standard in California Vehicl...
Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County offers an expedited, streamlined building-permit process for electric vehicle charging stations, as required by state law (AB 1236; Gov. Code s...
Sonoma County, CA
Sonoma County Zoning Regulations Article 86 (Sec. 26-86-010) requires every use to provide a minimum number of on-site parking spaces, including at least one...
See how Sonoma County's home daycare rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.