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Los Angeles County, CA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Few Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Small home cap: 8 or fewer children, permitted by right
Large home cap: 9 to 14 children, permitted by right
Zones covered: R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5
Permit required: None -- by-right permitted use
Applies to: Unincorporated LA County only

Summary

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, small (up to 8 children) and large (9-14 children) family child care homes are permitted by right in every residential zone -- R-A through R-5 -- with no conditional use permit required, unlike standalone child care centers.

City-specific rules exist: El Monte, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Carson, Pasadena, Lancaster, Inglewood, Long Beach, Pomona, Downey, West Covina, Palmdale, South Gate, Lakewood, and Compton have their own home daycare rules that differ from Los Angeles County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Day care Adult day care centers CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP Child care centers, less than 50 children CUP CUP CUP SPR SPR SPR Child care centers, more than 50 children CUP CUP CUP MCUP SPR SPR Family child care homes, large and small, in an approved residential use P P P P P P

Source: LA County Code Chapter 22.140 - Standards for Specific Uses (Family Day Care Home)View official code

Full Breakdown

Table 22.18.030-B of the County Code lists 'family child care homes, large and small, in an approved residential use' as a Permitted (P) principal use across all six residential zones -- R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5 -- covering unincorporated county neighborhoods. No Conditional Use Permit, Minor CUP, or Site Plan Review applies, unlike standalone child care centers on the same table, which need a CUP (or SPR for larger centers) in every zone. A small home (8 or fewer children) or large home (9-14 children) can operate in any qualifying residence in these zones as long as the operator holds the required California Department of Social Services license.

Violations & Fines

Operating a family child care home without the state DSS license, or exceeding the 14-child large-home cap, is a County Code violation -- punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or six months in jail under the general penalty section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to run a home daycare in unincorporated LA County?

No. Small (up to 8 children) and large (9-14 children) family child care homes are a permitted use by right in every residential zone under County Code Table 22.18.030-B -- no CUP or site plan review required.

Does this rule apply if I live in the City of Los Angeles?

No. This is the LA County Code, which governs only the unincorporated area. The City of Los Angeles and the other 87 incorporated cities in the county enforce their own separate zoning codes for home daycares.

Sources & Official References

[1]Los Angeles County Code Title 22, Table 22.18.030-B

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