Stearns County, MN Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

2, Performance Standards for Family Day Care, requires the building and any exterior fenced play area to meet the setback standards for a single-family residence in the zoning district where it sits, and bars altering the structure's exterior single-family character to accommodate the business. For child day care, at least 50 square feet of outside play area must be provided per child under care, with the play area's location and fencing subject to licensing review by the Stearns County Human Services Department. Grounds and buildings must be kept clean and safe.

14. 4 makes licensing mandatory across all three tiers: a day care center, family day care, or group family day care must be licensed by the appropriate state and/or county agencies before operating, layering the zoning performance standards on top of the separate state childcare licensing track.