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Green Bay, WI Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Family daycare cap
8 children per Sec. 44-250
Zoning status
Permitted in all residential zones
Group daycare (9+)
Conditional use, R-3 only
License required
Wisconsin DHFS licensing

Summary

Family daycare homes caring for up to eight children are a permitted, by-right use in every Green Bay residential district, R-1, R-2, R-3, and RR, no conditional use permit needed.

(b)Permitted uses. Uses specified with a "P" are permitted in the district or districts where designated, provided that the use complies with all other applicable provisions of this chapter... Family daycare home (8 or fewer children): R-1 P, R-2 P, R-3 P, RR P, Dev. Stds. x.

Full Breakdown

Sec. 44-250 defines a family daycare home as a dwelling unit licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to care for up to eight children at a time. Table 44-1 in Sec. 44-552 marks that use "P", permitted outright, in all four residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, RR), the same as a single-family home, subject only to the specific development standards in Article XVI. A group daycare center serving nine or more children is a different use category and is conditional (C), allowed only in R-3.

Violations & Fines

Running a group daycare center in a district that doesn't list it as a use is a zoning violation, punishable under Sec. 44-198 with a Sec. 1-6 forfeiture of up to $500 per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a licensed daycare out of my Green Bay house?
Yes: a family daycare home caring for up to eight children is a permitted use in R-1, R-2, R-3, and RR districts under Table 44-1, no conditional use permit needed.
What if I want to care for more than eight children?
That becomes a "group daycare center, preschool" use, which needs a conditional use permit and is only allowed in the R-3 district under Table 44-1.

Sources & Official References

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