Grant County, WA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- GCC UDO § 23.08.150
- State licensing
- Required for all day care facilities
- Home-residence parking minimum
- 2 off-street spaces for residents
- Exterior alteration limit
- No change to residential character without screening
- First-offense fine
- $500 per occurrence, GCC § 1.32.140
Summary
A day care facility operated out of a private residence in unincorporated Grant County must meet GCC UDO Section 23.08.150's standards: state licensing, compliance with the zoning district's building setbacks, no exterior alterations that change the home's residential look without screening, and at least two off-street parking spaces for the residents.
(a)The following standards apply to all day care facilities:(1)Day care facilities shall demonstrate compliance with state licensing requirements;(2)Equipment used in the day care operations shall comply with all building setback requirements for the zoning district in which the facility is located; ... (4)No structural or decorative alteration is allowed which would alter the residential character of an existing residential structure used as a day care facility unless visual screening is provided in accordance with GCC § 23.12.180; and(5)Parking spaces shall be provided as follows:(A)An off-street area shall be provided for vehicles to drop off and pick up children commensurate with the number of children served by the facility so that the neighborhood will not be adversely impacted or children endangered;(B)If the day care facility also serves as a private residence, a minimum of two (2) off-street parking spaces shall be provided for the residents; and(C)The minimum number of parking spaces shall be as specified in GCC § 23.12, Table 5.
Full Breakdown
150(a) sets standards that apply to every day care facility in the county's unincorporated area, starting with a requirement to demonstrate compliance with state licensing rules and to keep any equipment used in the operation within the building setback requirements of the applicable zoning district. 180. Parking gets its own layer of standards under subsection (a)(5): an off-street drop-off and pick-up area sized to the number of children served is required so the surrounding neighborhood is not disrupted, and where the facility also functions as the operator's private residence, at least two off-street parking spaces must be set aside for the residents themselves, separate from the drop-off area. 130. Development Services reviews these standards as part of the permit process for a home-based day care in the county.
Violations & Fines
A home day care operating without the state license, without the required setback compliance, or without the parking called for in Section 23.08.150 is a zoning code violation subject to GCC Section 1.32. The base fine is $500 per occurrence under Section 1.32.140, escalating to $500, $1,000 and $2,000 for second, third and fourth-or-later violations on the same property within 24 months under Section 1.32.220. Development Services can also suspend a related permit under Section 1.32.240 until the violation is corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a state license to run a day care out of my home in unincorporated Grant County?
How much parking do I need for a home day care?
Can I add a separate entrance or signage to my house for the day care?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Grant County
Compare Grant County to another location·View the Washington home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.