A home-based day care in unincorporated Pierce County may operate from a residence under PCC 18A.37.100, serving up to 12 individuals with a DCYF-approved fence around the outdoor play area, and must hold a Washington family home child care license from DCYF.
Pierce County Code 18A.37.100 lets home-based day-care facilities operate from a residence in unincorporated zones if the outdoor recreation area is enclosed by a Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) approved fence, play equipment is kept out of required front and interior yard setbacks, and the number of individuals receiving services does not exceed 12. Separately, Washington requires a state license: under WAC 110-300-0010, a license is required when an individual provides child care in their family home outside the child's home on a regular basis for one or more unrelated children. DCYF licenses family home child care for 12 or fewer children (up to 16 with a capacity waiver). Note: PCC 18A.37.100 was affected by Ordinance 2026-520s.
Operating a home daycare beyond the 12-individual county limit, without a DCYF-approved play-area fence, or without a DCYF family home license, violates PCC 18A.37.100 and Washington licensing law. The county may pursue zoning enforcement, and DCYF may revoke the license.
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