Hanford, CA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Up to 8 children
- Permitted by right, all zones
- 9-14 children
- Also permitted by right
- Over 14 children
- Conditional use permit required
- Zones covered
- R-L-12, R-L-8, R-L-5, R-M, R-H
- State law
- H&S Code § 1597.44 backs this
Summary
Hanford's zoning code lists day care for up to eight children as a permitted-by-right use in every residential zone, R-L-12, R-L-8, R-L-5, R-M, and R-H, with no conditional use permit needed to open one.
The following table identifies which land uses are permitted by right, require a use permit, or are not allowed in the R-L-12, R-L-8, R-L-5, R-M, and R-H zones. ... A "P" means that the use is permitted by right in that zone. ... Day care, up to 8 children
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4873707; v4 updated 2026-03-17).
Full Breakdown
Table 17.08.020, the city's residential land use table, marks 'Day care, up to 8 children' with a 'P', permitted by right, across all five residential zones (R-L-12, R-L-8, R-L-5, R-M, R-H), pointing to § 17.60.060 for site standards. Day care for 9 to 14 children is also permitted by right; only centers serving more than 14 children need a conditional use permit. This matches California Health & Safety Code § 1597.44, which requires cities to treat small family day care homes as a by-right residential use statewide, so Hanford cannot impose zoning restrictions beyond the standard the state sets.
Violations & Fines
Operating a home day care for 9 to 14 children is also allowed without a permit; only day care serving more than 14 children without an approved conditional use permit violates Hanford's zoning code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a home daycare in Hanford, CA?
Can Hanford ban home day care in a residential zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hanford
California rules heatmap·Compare Hanford to another location·View the California home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.