Paulding County, GA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning status
- Special Exception in 9 residential districts
- Child cap
- Up to six unrelated children under 13
- State rule cited
- GA DECAL Rules 290-2-3 et seq.
- Extra capacity
- Two more kids age 3+, 1-hr slots
- Parking
- Off-street parking required by Chapter 260
Summary
Running a licensed family child care learning home from a residence in Paulding County requires Special Exception approval under UDO Section 230-30.01 in nine residential districts, and the operator must meet all Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning licensing rules. The UDO caps the operation at six unrelated children under 13 absent an added state approval.
Family Child Care Learning Home (A-1, ER, R-1, R-2, R-3, MPR, OSRD, RD, MHP) provided all requirements of Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Rules and Regulations 290-2-3 et seq. as may be amended have been met.
Farm Wineries (AB) in accordance with Chapter 6, Article II of the Code of Paulding County, Georgia.
Food Services and Drinking Places, excluding Bars (O-I) provided it is located within an office building.
Forestry and Logging (A-1, ER, R-1, R-2) provided:
1.The owner/developer shall use the recommended Best Management Practices (BMP's) as established by the Georgia Forestry Commission.2.A 25-foot undisturbed buffer from any County road right-of-way (excluding driveways) shall be maintained.3.A minimum 25-foot undisturbed stream bank buffer shall be maintained.4.A minimum 50-foot by 25-foot pad of #3 stone shall be maintained at each access to a County road.5.All requirements of O.C.G.A § 12-6-24 are met. Fuel Pumps accessory to Supermarkets and/or General Merchandise Retailers (B-1, B-2) provided fuel pumps, canopies and services booth are located on the same property as the supermarket and/or general merchandise retailer.
Fuel Storage for On-site use of Vehicles and Equipment (B-2, ECBP, B2CL, AML, I-1, I-2) provided:
1.They are located to the rear of the property; and2.All requirements of the International Fire Code as may be amended are met. Funeral Homes and Funeral Services (O-1, NB, B-1, PSC, B-2) provided:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).
Full Breakdown
03 in the A-1 Agricultural District, meaning the Zoning Administrator must sign off on the specific site before care can begin, and that certification lapses if no permit issues within 12 months. The UDO's own definition of a Family Child Care Learning Home caps the operation at "at least three but not more than six children under 13 years of age who are not related" to the provider and whose parents do not live in the home, though a provider may care for "two additional children three years of age or older for two designated one hour periods daily" with Department of Human Resources approval.
Because a Family Child Care Learning Home "is required to be licensed," the county's zoning sign-off does not substitute for the state license; both must be in place. Chapter 260's parking table separately requires that off-street parking and loading or unloading space be provided for the use.
Violations & Fines
Operating a home daycare in a residential district without first obtaining Zoning Administrator sign-off under Section 230-30 is a zoning violation, and caring for more than six unrelated children under 13 without the Department of Human Resources' two-child exception exceeds the UDO's own use definition. Operating without the required Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning license is a separate state licensing violation on top of any local zoning citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a home daycare in a Paulding County subdivision?
How many children can a home daycare provider watch in Paulding County?
Does the county's zoning approval replace my state daycare license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paulding County
Compare Paulding County to another location·View the Georgia home business overview
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