Glendale, AZ Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Section 35.3.204(G) of the Glendale Code of Ordinances sets five conditions for a Child Care, Home use operating out of a residence. First, the use has to be "licensed, certified or approved by the State of Arizona" before it can operate as an accessory use in a residential district; Glendale zoning does not independently license the business, it defers to the state's child care licensing process and treats a lapsed state license as a zoning violation too. Second, vehicles belonging to employees and residents must park onsite, either in the garage or on an approved paved driveway, which keeps daycare traffic from spilling onto the street or parking on unpaved yard areas. Third, the code bars any signage for advertising or notification of the use on or off the site, which is stricter than the general Home Occupation sign rule because it forbids even off-site advertising.

Fourth, an outdoor play area needs a minimum of 600 square feet of open space, none of which can sit in the required front setback, so the play yard has to be located to the side or rear of the home. Fifth, that outdoor recreation area must be completely screened and enclosed by a 6-foot-high solid masonry wall or wood fence fitted with self-closing, self-latching gates, a child-safety standard beyond Glendale's normal residential fence rules. Because Child Care, Home is listed as a conditioned accessory use, a zoning clearance confirming these five points is required before the Development Services Department will sign off on occupancy.