King County, WA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Daycare I limit
- up to 12 people per day
- Daycare II
- more than 12 people per day
- Governing rule
- K.C.C. § 21A.06.265, not home occupation
- Coverage
- unincorporated King County only
Summary
King County's zoning code classifies in-home child care by headcount: up to 12 people in a 24-hour period is "Daycare I," a separate land-use category from home occupations, while any home caring for more than 12 becomes "Daycare II."
Daycare: an establishment for group care of non-resident adults or children.
A. Daycare shall include only, SIC Industry No. 835, Child Day Care Services, SIC Industry No. 8322, Adult Daycare Centers and the following: 1.Adult Daycare, such as adult day health centers or social day care as defined by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services;
2. Nursery schools for children under minimum age for education in public schools;
3. Privately conducted kindergartens or prekindergartens when not a part of a public or parochial school; and
4. Programs covering after-school care for school children.
B. Daycare establishments are subclassified as follows:
1. Daycare I -- a maximum of 12 adults or children in any 24 hour period; and
2. Daycare II -- over 12 adults or children in any 24 hour period. (Ord. 10870 § 93, 1993).
21A.06.267 Debris flow. Debris flow: a moving mass of rock fragments, soil, and mud, where more than half of the particles are larger than sand size. (Ord. 20024 § 20, 2025).
21A.06.270 Deciduous. Deciduous: a plant species with foliage that is shed annually. (Ord. 10870 § 94, 1993).
21A.06.275 Development rights, transfer of ("TDR"). Development rights, transfer of ("TDR"): the ability to transfer potentially buildable dwelling units from an eligible sending site to an eligible receiving site as provided in this code. (Ord. 14190 § 25, 2001: Ord. 10870 § 95, 1993).
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated King County's zoning code, not its home-occupation rules, governs home-based child care. K.C.C. 21A.06.265 defines "Daycare" as group care of non-resident adults or children and splits it into two tiers: Daycare I, capping at 12 people in any 24-hour period, and Daycare II for anything larger. Because daycare is its own SIC-coded land-use category in the county's permitted-use tables, a home-based provider can't simply claim the home-occupation exemption in K.C.C. chapter 21A.30 -- the operation is reviewed under the applicable zone's Daycare I/II use listing instead. This rule covers only unincorporated areas; Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond and other incorporated cities enforce their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unpermitted or oversized daycare without the zone's required review violates Title 21A and is enforceable through King County's civil code enforcement process, including notice, correction orders and civil penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does running a home daycare count as a home occupation in King County?
Does this rule apply if I live in Seattle or Bellevue?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington home business overview
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