Haltom City, TX Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Haltom City regulates in-home child care through its zoning ordinance and defers licensing to Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Child Care Regulation. Under Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 42, a listed family home may care for up to 3 children unrelated to the caregiver without a state permit. A registered child-care home may serve up to 6 children under age 14 plus up to 6 school-age children during out-of-school hours. A licensed child-care home may serve up to 12 children (with specific age ratios). In Haltom City single-family residential districts, registered and licensed child-care homes are generally permitted as home occupations provided the use remains incidental to the dwelling, no non-resident employees are on site beyond one assistant, no exterior alterations change the residential appearance, and pickup and drop-off do not create traffic congestion or require on-street parking that impedes neighbors. Group day-care homes serving more than 12 children typically require a specific use permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Fire safety requirements include working smoke detectors in sleeping rooms and common areas, a fire extinguisher rated 2A-10BC, and two means of egress from each room used by children. Outdoor play yards must be fenced to at least 4 feet. Caregivers must pass FBI fingerprint background checks and complete annual training hours required by HHSC. Food preparation must comply with state child care minimum standards. Insurance carrying at least $300,000 liability per occurrence is recommended though not city-mandated.