Tampa, FL Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Florida operates a two-tier system for in-home child care. A Family Day Care Home under Florida Statutes §402.313 is a residence where one operator cares for up to 10 children, including the operator's own children under 13. Specific mix limits apply: no more than 4 children under 12 months, and the total count adjusts by age group. Registration (not full license) with the Florida Department of Children and Families is mandatory annually and includes a background check, 30 hours of pre-service training, 10 hours of in-service training annually, CPR and first-aid certification, and verification of the home meeting minimum health, safety, and sanitation standards. A Large Family Child Care Home under §402.3131 serves up to 12 children with at least one additional full-time caregiver and requires full DCF licensing including annual inspection. In Hillsborough County, the Hillsborough County License Board for Children's Centers and Family Day Care Homes acts as the local licensing agency and conducts inspections on behalf of DCF; the board is reachable at (813) 272-5481. Tampa recognizes home daycare as a protected home-based business under FL §559.955, meaning the city cannot prohibit it or require a unique local permit beyond a standard Business Tax Receipt. Zoning neutrality applies: the home must maintain residential character and parent drop-off/pick-up traffic must be consistent with neighborhood norms. Fenced outdoor play area is required, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms must be installed, and swimming pools (if present) must be isolated by DCF-compliant fencing or remain inaccessible to children.