Jacksonville, FL Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Max enrollment
- 5 children or adults
- Operator residency
- Must live on premises
- Dwelling type
- Single-family home only, not mobile homes
- Hours of operation
- 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Citation
- Ordinance Code § 656.401(j)
Summary
Jacksonville allows in-home family day care for up to five children or adults in single-family homes, but the operator must live there, keep the outside unchanged, and cap hours at 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
(j)Family day care homes.(1)The family day care home operator shall reside on the premises and shall not change the outside appearance of the residence...(2)The family day care home shall be conducted in a single-family dwelling and not in a mobile home or accessory structure.(3)The family day care home shall have no more than five children or adults...(6)The family day care home shall be limited to the following hours of operation: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Family day care homes are a permitted zoning use in Jacksonville's single-family residential districts under Ordinance Code § 656.401(j), but they come with real limits. The operator must live in the home, cap enrollment at five children or adults, and run only in a single-family dwelling, not a mobile home or accessory building. Outward appearance can't change, off-street parking and a fenced outdoor play area meeting state licensing standards are required, and hours are capped at 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. A state child care license from the Florida Department of Children and Families is required separately.
Violations & Fines
Operating without meeting these zoning standards, or beyond five children, risks a code enforcement citation, a stop-work order, and possible zoning exception denial or revocation by the Chief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a daycare from my house in Jacksonville?
Do I still need a state license for home daycare?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jacksonville
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Jacksonville to another location·View the Florida home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.