Sarasota, FL Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Max children
- 10, capped by age
- Zoning status
- Permitted (P), by right
- Applies in
- all 7 SF districts
- Over the cap
- needs conditional-use permit
Summary
The City of Sarasota permits family day care homes by right in every single-family zoning district, capped at the state's per-age headcount formula under the zoning code's definitions.
Day care, family: Family day care home means an occupied residence in which child care is regularly provided for children from at least two unrelated families and which receives a payment, fee or grant for any of the children receiving care, whether or not operated for profit. A family day care home shall be allowed to provide care for one of the following groups of children, which shall include those children under 13 years of age who are related to the caregiver:
(a)A maximum of four children from birth to 12 months of age.(b)A maximum of three children from birth to 12 months of age, and other children, for a maximum total of six children.(c)A maximum of six preschool children if all are older than 12 months of age.(d)A maximum of ten children if no more than five are preschool age and, of those five, no more than two are under 12 months of age. (See also child care center)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, F.S. § 402.301, as amended.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33 | Zoning: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
Sarasota Zoning Code § II-201 defines 'day care, family' as an occupied residence providing child care for at least two unrelated families, capped at ten children total with no more than five preschoolers and no more than two of those under 12 months. Table VI-201 under § VI-202 lists 'family day care centers' as a Permitted (P) use in every single-family district, RSF-E, RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, RSF-4, RSM-9, and RTD-9, so no conditional-use hearing is required. Exceed the state headcount and the use reclassifies as a 'child care center,' which needs a conditional-use permit and DCF licensing.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the family day care headcount without reclassifying and permitting as a child care center is a zoning violation, and an unpermitted larger center can draw a stop-work order and code enforcement citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a zoning permit to run a home daycare in Sarasota?
How many children can a Sarasota family day care home serve?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sarasota
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sarasota to another location·View the Florida home business overview
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Home Daycare in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sarasota County handle home daycare.