Riverside, CA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

California law preempts most local regulation of family daycare homes. Under Health and Safety Code section 1597.40, a family daycare home is considered a residential use — not a business — and cannot be subject to conditional-use permits, business license fees specific to daycare, or stricter zoning than other residential uses. Riverside must allow a small family daycare home (up to eight children, including residents' own) by right in any residential zone. A large family daycare home (up to 14 children) is also allowed by right following SB 234 (2019), which eliminated the former discretionary permit requirement. Operators must obtain a state license from the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division, which requires a home inspection, fire-clearance certificate, background checks (LiveScan fingerprinting), CPR and first-aid training, and proof of immunizations. Fire code compliance includes functioning smoke alarms, carbon-monoxide detectors, a fire extinguisher, and an escape plan. At the City level, Riverside does require a home-occupation clearance for administrative purposes, but cannot deny it or impose special conditions beyond what state law allows. Parking must accommodate children being dropped off and picked up without blocking traffic — usually the driveway plus a curbside space. Outdoor play areas need to be fenced per licensing standards. For more than 14 children, a commercial daycare license and zoning approval in a nonresidential zone are required.