Pima County, AZ Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Home-based child care in unincorporated Pima County requires licensing through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Child Care Licensing unit under ARS 36-897 through 36-897.14. A family child care home (up to 4 children under age 5, or up to 5 children ages 5+) may operate without a county specific use permit as a standard home occupation. A group child care home (5-10 children) typically requires a Type II home occupation or specific use permit from Pima County Development Services due to increased traffic, parking needs, and safety considerations. DES licensing requires background checks (fingerprint clearance cards), CPR/first aid certification, minimum square-footage per child, outdoor play area fencing (minimum 4-foot height), fire safety compliance, and annual inspections. Pima County zoning review focuses on traffic generation, drop-off/pick-up logistics, parking adequacy, and compatibility with the residential neighborhood. Operating an unlicensed child care home for more than 4 unrelated children is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Arizona law.