Las Cruces, NM Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Section 38-52(C)(6) of the Land Development Code sets the tiers for in-home child care. A maximum of six children at one time may be present for a babysitting service. Once care exceeds four children, it is classified as child care requiring state licensing: a family child care home covers five to six children, and a group child care home covers seven to twelve. In every case, a city home occupation business registration is required. Home child care is exempt from the 500-square-foot floor-area cap and from the one-customer-vehicle and hourly customer-trip limits, reflecting its pickup and drop-off traffic. State licensing for family and group child care homes is administered by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD).