Kennewick, WA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- KMC § 18.12.070
- Permitted
- By right in residential zones
- License required
- WA family day care license
- Character rule
- Must keep single-family look
Summary
Kennewick permits family day care homes by right in every zoning district that allows residences, provided the operator holds a state license and meets standard setback and lot standards.
A family day care home shall be permitted by right in all zoning districts permitting residences and shall be subject to the following requirements:
(1)A Washington State family day care home license is required.(2)Comply with all building, fire safety, health code, and business licensing requirements.(3)Lot size, building size, setbacks, and lot coverage conform to the standards of the zoning district except if the structure is a legal nonconforming structure.(4)A safe passenger loading area must be provided.(5)No structural or decorative alternative, which will alter the single-family character of an existing or proposed residential structure or be incompatible with surrounding residences is permitted.(6)A residential use sign is permitted. (Ord. 5462 Sec. 2, 2012; Ord. 5180 Sec. 1, 2007)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Kennewick Municipal Code § 18.12.070 lets a family day care home operate by right in any zoning district that permits residences: no conditional use permit needed. The operator must hold a Washington State family day care home license, comply with building, fire, and health code and business-licensing rules, meet the zoning district's lot size, building size, setback, and lot coverage standards (unless the structure is a legal nonconforming one), and provide a safe passenger loading area. The code also bars structural or decorative changes that would alter the home's single-family residential character.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required state family day care license or violating the zoning district's setback and lot coverage standards can bring code enforcement action and business license denial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Kennewick family day care home need a conditional use permit?
Can the home look different from other houses on the block?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kennewick
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