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Spartanburg County, SC Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Child limit
No more than six children
Counts
Own plus received children
Registration
Required with SC DSS
Larger care
Group home or center licensing
Code section
S.C. Code 63-13-20

Summary

A home daycare in Spartanburg County is a 'family childcare home' under S.C. Code 63-13-20 - a residence caring for no more than six children (including the caregiver's own and related children). These homes must register with the SC Department of Social Services (DSS).

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Spartanburg County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

"Family childcare home" means a facility within a residence occupied by the operator in which childcare is regularly provided for no more than six children, unattended by a parent or legal guardian, including those children living in the home and children received for childcare who are related to the resident caregiver.

View official code

Full Breakdown

S.C. Code §63-13-20 defines a family childcare home as a facility within a residence occupied by the operator where childcare is regularly provided for no more than six children, unattended by a parent, counting the caregiver's own children living in the home and related children received for care. Caring only for one's own relatives, or only the children of one unrelated family, does not make a home a regulated family childcare home. Family childcare homes must register with DSS, meet health, safety, and caregiver-background requirements, and follow ratio limits. Larger operations become 'group childcare homes' or 'childcare centers' with licensing. County ULMO home-occupation zoning (§3.06) can also apply to a home daycare in the unincorporated county.

Violations & Fines

Operating a family childcare home without DSS registration, or exceeding the six-child limit, violates the Children's Code and can bring DSS enforcement, fines, and orders to cease operating until the home is properly registered or licensed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many children can a home daycare watch in South Carolina?
No more than six children, including the caregiver's own and related children living in the home, under the family childcare home definition in S.C. Code §63-13-20.
Do I have to register a home daycare?
Yes. Family childcare homes must register with the SC Department of Social Services and meet its health, safety, and caregiver-background requirements before operating.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Spartanburg County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsZoning & Home Occupation PermitsSome RestrictionsSignage RulesSome RestrictionsCottage Food OperationsFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions

All Spartanburg County rules

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