Iowa City, IA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Section 14-4C-2G splits childcare homes into two tiers within the same "accessory uses and buildings" article that governs bed and breakfasts, home occupations and other secondary residential uses. The first tier, homes serving up to 8 children, is permitted in any zone that allows household living uses so long as the operation meets the state's own childcare licensing requirements, which are administered separately from the zoning code. That tier is also allowed one nonresident caregiver in addition to whoever lives at the home and runs it day to day.

The second tier, 9 to 16 children, is permitted in the same residential zones but only if the home clears four physical standards on top of state licensing: a fenced outdoor play area of at least 50 square feet per child, sized to the maximum number of children using it at one time; at least 35 square feet of interior floor space per child, excluding kitchens, bathrooms and halls; a working fire extinguisher and smoke detectors; and two direct exits from the home. Like the smaller tier, the larger childcare home must still meet all applicable state operation and maintenance requirements.

Because both tiers sit in the accessory-use table rather than the commercial use tables, neither requires a special exception, conditional use permit or board of adjustment hearing. The zoning code leaves the licensing and staff-ratio questions to the state's childcare regulations and only adds the space, safety-equipment and outdoor-area conditions above for the larger tier.