Highland, CA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Operating hours
- 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week
- Outdoor activity
- 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. only
- Spacing
- 660 feet from a legally existing day care facility
- Neighbor notice
- Owners and tenants within a 100-foot radius
- Parking cap
- Not more than two on-site spaces required
- Licensing
- State license required for all day care facilities
Summary
In the City of Highland, California, a day care run from a home must meet Highland Municipal Code § 16.44.100: operation from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., outdoor activity from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., a state license, and a 660-foot gap from any legally existing day care facility. Neighbors within 100 feet get written notice of the application.
B. Performance Standards for Day Care Facilities. 1. General Requirements. Day care facilities shall conform to all property development standards and permit procedures of the district in which they are located in addition to the provisions of this section. ... ... 5. On-site Parking. On-site parking for home-based day care facilities located within residential districts shall not be required in excess of two on-site spaces. ... ... 8. Hours of Operation. For the purposes of noise abatement, day care facilities in residential districts may operate between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., seven days a week. ... ... 10. State and Other Licensing. All day care facilities shall be state licensed and shall be operated according to all applicable state and local regulations. 11. Concentration of Uses. A new or proposed day care facility shall not be located within 660 feet from a legally existing day care facility.
Full Breakdown
Section 16.44.100 is the City of Highland's rule for day care facilities that provide child care in residential districts. Its stated purpose is to keep them from adversely affecting the adjacent neighborhood while giving children a home environment. Every day care facility must also meet the property development standards and permit procedures of its own zoning district.
The definitions section, § 16.06.040, sets the size tiers. A family care home is a day care facility in the provider's own home caring for 14 or fewer children from more than one other family. A small family day care home has eight or fewer children, counting children who live at the home. A large family day care home has nine to 14 children, inclusive. The older § 16.08.100 large family day care permit now reads only "Repealed by Ord. 470."
The performance standards are specific. The outdoor play area must comply with the California Health and Safety Code provisions on child day care facilities, and stationary play equipment cannot sit in a required front or side yard setback. Where the site is within or adjacent to a nonresidential district, a six-foot high solid block wall goes on all property lines, except the front yard, where a fence or wall cannot exceed three feet six inches. On-site parking for home-based day care in residential districts cannot be required beyond two spaces. The city engineer must approve a passenger loading and unloading plan. Lighting in a residential district must be directed away from adjacent properties and the public right-of-way, except at passenger loading areas.
Timing and spacing limits apply. Residential day care can operate between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., seven days a week, and outdoor activities are confined to 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. A new facility cannot be located within 660 feet of a legally existing day care facility. On application, the city notifies all property owners and tenants within a 100-foot radius, and the notice states the address, the nature of the operation and the right to appeal the decision.
Violations & Fines
Under Highland Municipal Code § 1.24.010, violating any provision of the code is a misdemeanor unless the city attorney or district attorney prosecutes it as an infraction. Each day of violation is a separate offense, and an administrative citation under Chapter 2.56 can be issued as well. Section 16.04.040 lets the community development director, code compliance officers and building official enforce the title, and a permit issued in conflict with it is null and void.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can a large family day care home in Highland have?
Can two home day cares be next door to each other in the City of Highland?
Do neighbors get told when someone applies for a home day care?
What are the fence rules for a Highland day care?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Highland
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