Trinity County, CA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Family day care homes in unincorporated Trinity County are governed by both the County's zoning code and California's strong state preemption. Zoning Chapter 17.30B expressly lists "state licensed, large and small family day care homes" as a minor home occupation example (17.30B.030(A)(1)(g)), and Section 17.30B.050(L) confirms that large and small family day care homes licensed by the California Department of Social Services qualify as a minor home occupation use, with land-use treatment regulated by state law. State law is controlling here. Under the Child Day Care Facilities Act (Health & Safety Code 1597.30 et seq.) as amended by SB 234 (effective January 1, 2020), both small and large family child care homes must be treated as a residential use of property and a use by right for all local ordinances, including zoning. As a result, the County cannot require a family child care home to obtain a zoning clearance or business license that it does not require of comparable residences, and cannot apply requirements not applied to other homes in the same zone. Large family child care homes still must obtain a fire-safety clearance meeting State Fire Marshal standards (Title 24). Providers must hold the appropriate state license from the Department of Social Services. Confirm fire-clearance and any building-code steps with Trinity County before opening.