Outagamie County, WI Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- RSF district
- permitted by right
- AGD district
- special exception required
- Group day care
- special exception, all districts
- First-offense forfeiture
- $150
Summary
Family child care homes are a permitted use in Outagamie County's RSF residential district but need a special exception permit in the AGD general agricultural district.
RSF district, Sec. 54-154: 'Permitted principal uses and structures within the RSF single-family residential district are as follows: ...(5)Day care (family).(6)Utility-scale energy system.' AGD district, Sec. 54-130: 'Special exception uses and structures within the AGD general agricultural district are as follows: ...(16)Day care (family).(17)Community-scale and large-scale solar energy system...'
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26).
Full Breakdown
Outagamie County's zoning code treats home-based family day care differently by district. In the RSF single-family residential district, Sec. 54-154(5) lists 'day care (family)' among the permitted principal uses, so a provider can open without a special exception hearing. In the AGD general agricultural district, Sec. 54-130(16) lists the same use among special exception uses, which requires an application, public hearing and Board of Adjustment approval before operating. Group day care is a special exception everywhere under Sec. 54-156(10). This scheme applies only in unincorporated towns that adopted county zoning; incorporated cities and villages, including Appleton, Kaukauna and Little Chute, use their own separate codes.
Violations & Fines
Operating family day care in the AGD district without an approved special exception is a zoning violation; Sec. 1-14(b) sets forfeitures of $150 for a first offense, $300 for later ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a home daycare in Outagamie County without a permit?
Does this apply inside Appleton or Kaukauna?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Outagamie County
Compare Outagamie County to another location·View the Wisconsin home business overview
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