Richland County, SC Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Max children (family home)
- Six
- State authority
- SC DSS (registration)
- Statute
- SC Code 63-13-20
- County step
- Zoning approval required
- Larger operations
- 7+ need fuller licensing
Summary
South Carolina lets a resident care for up to six children in a "family childcare home," which must register with SC DSS. In unincorporated Richland County it is treated as a home occupation and needs county zoning approval before the state application.
"Family childcare home" means a facility within a residence occupied by the operator in which childcare is regularly provided for no more than six children, unattended by a parent or legal guardian, including those children living in the home and children received for childcare who are related to the resident caregiver.
Full Breakdown
Under SC Code 63-13-20, a family childcare home is a facility within the operator's residence where childcare is regularly provided for no more than six children (counting the caregiver's own children and related children received for care). These homes must register with the SC Department of Social Services (and may choose to be licensed); group homes of 7-12 children and centers of 13+ face fuller licensing. Zoning approval from Richland County is part of the DSS application, so operators must confirm the home occupation is permitted at the address under the LDC. Signage, employee and traffic limits for home occupations apply. Cities such as Columbia handle their own zoning approvals.
Violations & Fines
Caring for more than six children without proper licensing, or operating without required DSS registration and county zoning approval, can lead to state enforcement and county zoning citations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can I watch at home?
Do I need county approval for a home daycare?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland County
Compare Richland County to another location·View the South Carolina home business overview
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