Ontario follows California law classifying small and large family daycare homes as residential uses. State statutes preempt most local zoning, but fire clearance and basic home-occupation registration still apply.
California Health and Safety Code sections 1597.40 through 1597.465 classify small family daycare homes (up to 8 children) and large family daycare homes (up to 14 children) as residential uses of property. The City of Ontario cannot require a conditional use permit, zoning variance, or business license that treats these homes differently from any other single-family residence. Large family daycare homes are subject to a non-discretionary ministerial permit that focuses on fire and life safety and basic zoning compliance. Operators must obtain a Community Care Licensing Division license from the California Department of Social Services before opening. The Ontario Fire Department conducts the fire clearance inspection for large homes verifying smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, two means of egress from any room used for napping, and current fire extinguishers. Contact Ontario Planning at (909) 395-2000 before operating.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Ontario, CA
Outdoor music is regulated under OMC Title 5 Chapter 29 and the special-event permit process. Venues and events with amplified sound need a city permit; resi...
Ontario, CA
Aircraft noise from Ontario International Airport (ONT) is regulated by the FAA, not the city. ONT runs an FAA Part 150 noise compatibility program; federal ...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires a building permit for masonry walls and any fence over 7 feet under the California Building Code. Retaining walls over 4 feet also require p...
Ontario, CA
Ontario fence requirements include zoning-based heights, setbacks, sight triangles, buffer walls on industrial edges, and CBC structural standards. Pool, ret...
Ontario, CA
Ontario limits residential fence heights under the Development Code. Typical maximums are 6 feet rear/side, 3 feet front, and 42 inches in sight-distance tri...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires dogs to be leashed off-property under OMC Title 6. Maximum leash length is 6 feet, with owner control required in all public spaces except d...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle home daycare.
See how Ontario's home daycare rules stack up against other locations.
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