Home-based child care in Tucson is regulated by Arizona Department of Health Services under ARS 36-882 and ARS 36-897. Providers caring for 5 or more unrelated children must be licensed as a group home. Providers caring for 1 to 4 unrelated children must be DES-certified if they accept state child care subsidies.
Tucson allows licensed home daycares as a home occupation with special review. Fire, health, and zoning inspections occur before license issuance. The UDC permits up to 10 children in a group home setting subject to parking, outdoor-play, and fencing standards. Required features include a 5-foot pool barrier if a pool exists, smoke and CO alarms, emergency-exit plans, and approved outdoor play space. Programs must be accessible for DHS inspection at any time during hours of operation.
Operating an unlicensed group child care home is a state-level criminal misdemeanor under ARS 36-896. Zoning violations add city penalties of 250 to 1,000 dollars per day.
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