Lucas County, OH Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- ORC Chapter 5104 (statewide)
- Type B home range
- One to seven children
- Under-two limit
- No more than three
- Licensor
- Ohio Dept of Children and Youth
- County license
- None; zoning may add rules
Summary
In-home child care in Lucas County is regulated by Ohio, not the county. A type B family child care home caring for one to seven children (no more than three under age two) must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Local zoning may add rules on
"Type B family child care home" and "type B home" mean a permanent residence of the provider in which care is provided for one to seven children at one time and in which no more than three children are under two years of age at one time.
Full Breakdown
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5104 governs home daycare statewide. A 'type B family child care home' is the provider's permanent residence caring for one to seven children at one time, with no more than three under two years old; it must be licensed by the state director. Larger operations (generally eight or more) must be licensed as a type A home or child care center. Licensing covers safety, staffing, background checks and inspection. Lucas County does not run its own home-daycare license, but your city or township zoning code may still regulate whether and where a home daycare can operate. Confirm licensing with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth and zoning locally.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unlicensed type B home over the child threshold violates ORC 5104 and can result in state enforcement, denial of the license, and civil penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can I watch at home without a license?
Does Lucas County license home daycares?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lucas County
Compare Lucas County to another location·View the Ohio home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.