Garland, TX Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- License
- Texas HHSC license or registration required
- Limit
- Listed home limited to 3 unrelated children
- Inspection
- Fire safety inspection and 2 egress points required
- Barrier
- Fenced play area and off-street parking required
- Permit
- Group homes (7-12 kids) may need special use permit
Summary
In-home daycares in Garland require Texas HHSC licensing or registration plus compliance with home occupation zoning, fire safety, and parking standards.
hree or more days a week.(9) "Family home" means a home that provides regular care in the caretaker's own residence for not more than six children under 14 years of age, excluding children who are related to the caretaker, and that provides care after school hours for not more than six additional elementary school children, but the total number of children, including children who are related to the caretaker, does not exceed 12 at any given time. The term does not include a home that provides care exclusively for any number of children who are related to the caretaker.(10) "Cottage family home" means a family residential setting with one or more homes operating under the license of a cottage home operation and in whic
Full Breakdown
Operating a child care home in Garland requires registration or licensure through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) under Human Resources Code Chapter 42 and Texas Administrative Code Title 26 Chapter 745. Listed family homes (1-3 unrelated children), registered child-care homes (up to 6 plus 6 school-age), and licensed child-care homes (up to 12) each have specific child-staff ratios and inspection requirements. Garland zoning permits these as home occupations in residential districts when the operator resides in the home. Additional city requirements include a fire safety inspection, working smoke and CO detectors, two means of egress, fenced outdoor play area, and adequate off-street parking for parent drop-off without blocking the street. Group daycare homes serving 7-12 children may need a special use permit and additional building code compliance.
Violations & Fines
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Garland code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get licensed for in-home daycare in Garland?
Do I need a Garland-specific permit on top of state licensing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Garland
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Garland to another location·View the Texas home business overview
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Home Daycare in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle home daycare.