Lake Elsinore, CA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Lake Elsinore Municipal Code § 17.415.130, adopted by Ord. 1415 § 3 (Exh. B) in 2019, splits family day care into two tiers borrowed from State licensing categories. A small family day care home, defined as serving eight or fewer children including any who live at the home, is a permitted use in every residential zoning district (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-R, R-E, R-H and R-M-R alike) as long as the home itself meets the development standards that already apply to any structure in that district, such as the zone's setbacks and lot coverage limits. No separate city permit or hearing is required for a small home beyond whatever State Department of Social Services licensing applies.

A large family day care home, serving nine to 14 children, is treated differently: it needs a residential care permit processed under Chapter 17.410 LEMC before it can operate. The Community Development Director decides the application without a formal hearing unless the applicant or an affected neighbor requests one, in which case the Director or a designee hears it directly. Before deciding, the City must mail notice of the proposed home to every property owner of record within a 100-foot radius at least 10 days ahead of the decision date. The Director's decision is final unless appealed under LEMC § 17.410.110. Large day care facilities must also meet zoning development standards for their district, including a six-foot wood fence or masonry wall around the side and rear yards behind the required front setback, and adequate on-site parking and driveways for the district.