New Orleans, LA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Home occupation?
- No, excluded
- State license trigger
- More than 6 children
- Licensing agency
- Louisiana DCFS
- Zoning
- Child-care use, not home occ.
- Registration
- Family child day care option
Summary
A home daycare is not treated as a home occupation in New Orleans, so it cannot rely on the home-based business acknowledgment. Caring for more than six unrelated children requires a state license from the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services.
Day care homes are not considered a home occupation.
Full Breakdown
The city's Home-Based Business acknowledgment states plainly that day care homes are not considered a home occupation, so operators must satisfy the CZO's separate child-care use standards and obtain a zoning approval for the use rather than a home-occupation license. Under Louisiana law, once care is provided for more than six unrelated children the operator must obtain a state license; smaller family child day care homes may register with DCFS. Operators should confirm their zoning district permits a family child care home and meet state health, safety, and staffing rules before opening.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unlicensed or unregistered child care home, or one not permitted by zoning, can trigger DCFS enforcement (including injunctions) and city zoning action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a home daycare a home occupation in New Orleans?
When do I need a license for home child care?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Orleans
Compare New Orleans to another location·View the Louisiana home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.