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Tarpon Springs, FL Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

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

Key Facts

City limit
2 persons (with approval)
Zoning approval
Board of Commissioners
Licensing authority
Pinellas County
Operator age
18 or older
Background screening
Required statewide

Summary

Tarpon Springs zoning treats in-home day care as a home occupation requiring Board of Commissioners approval (max 2 persons by board approval) and Pinellas County child care licensing handles state-mandated registration of family day care homes.

Family day care homes shall be licensed under this act if they are presently being licensed under an existing county licensing ordinance or if the board of county commissioners passes a resolution that family day care homes be licensed. (a) If not subject to license, family day care homes shall register annually with the department, providing the following information: 1. The name and address of the home. 2. The name of the operator. 3. The number of children served. 4. Proof of a written plan to provide at least one other competent adult to be available to substitute for the operator in an emergency. This plan shall include the name, address, and telephone number of the designated substitute. 5. Proof of screening and background checks. 6.

Source: Municode LibraryView official code

Full Breakdown

Under Article IV of the Tarpon Springs Land Development Code, day care is a home occupation that requires Board of Commissioners approval and is limited to no more than two persons at any given time at the residence. Beyond city zoning, Pinellas County is a locally regulated jurisdiction for child care licensing under Florida law: family day care homes serving more than the de minimis exemption must register or be licensed through the Pinellas County License Board. Operators must reside in the home, be 18 or older, meet background screening, and comply with Florida training, ratio, and inspection requirements.

Violations & Fines

Operating without zoning approval or county licensing can lead to code enforcement fines, business tax receipt revocation, and Pinellas County licensing penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a family day care from my Tarpon Springs home?
Yes, but you need Board of Commissioners approval as a home occupation (cap of two persons) and Pinellas County child care licensing for any non-exempt family day care home.
Who licenses family day care homes in Tarpon Springs?
Pinellas County, not the state DCF, regulates family day care home registration and licensing locally; you must register or license your home through the County License Board.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tarpon Springs

All Tarpon Springs rules

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Home Daycare in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Pinellas County handle home daycare.

Seminole, FL
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Safety Harbor, FL
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Clearwater, FL
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Pinellas Park, FL
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Largo, FL
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St. Petersburg, FL
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