El Paso County, CO Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Separation distance
- 500 linear feet
- Exemption
- fewer than 6 children
- Day care home cap
- 12 children allowed
- Code section
- LDC § 5.2.17
Summary
El Paso County keeps family care homes and child care centers at least 500 feet apart along the same road, unless the home has fewer than 6 children or sits in a commercial zone.
No family care homes, child care centers, or group homes, excluding group homes for disabled persons, shall be located on an adjacent lot or parcel or within 500 linear feet along the same road from the lot or parcel boundary lines as another family care home, child care center, or applicable group home except for those facilities that: (1) qualify as a single-family dwelling and have an occupancy in the family care home, child care center, or group home of fewer than 6; or
(2) where the family care home, child care center, or group home is located within a commercial zone district.
(B) Parking, Screening and Buffering. The facility shall comply with the parking standards of the Land Development Code. All commercial components, such as parking lots and playgrounds, shall be screened and buffered from neighboring residences and uses. For family care homes, child care centers, or group homes, excluding group homes for disabled persons, the County may request a transportation plan showing how the operators of the facility intend to meet the transportation needs of the residents of the facility. The sufficiency of the transportation plan may be considered by the
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated El Paso County, a family care home, child care center or group home cannot locate on a lot adjacent to, or within 500 linear feet along the same road of, another such facility. The separation requirement doesn't apply to a facility that qualifies as a single-family dwelling with fewer than 6 enrolled or in care, or one located in a commercial zone. Table 5-3 of the Code lists a small day care home as an allowed use for up to 12 children; larger operations need a special use permit.
Violations & Fines
Locating a family care home or day care within the 500-foot separation of another such facility, without qualifying for an exemption, is a zoning violation subject to county enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close can two home daycares be in El Paso County?
How many kids can a home day care have?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Paso County
Compare El Paso County to another location·View the Colorado home business overview
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