Kern County, CA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Maximum children
- 14, with age-mix conditions
- State license
- CDSS Community Care Licensing
- Play area screening
- Six-foot solid fence or wall
- State preemption
- Residential use by right
Summary
Kern County Chapter 19.96 sets development standards and a Planning Director permit process for large family day-care homes serving up to 14 children, though California law now treats family daycare homes as a residential use by right.
19.96.020 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS. Large family day-care homes shall comply with the following standards: A. An operating license, if required, shall be obtained through the State Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, prior to or concurrently with obtaining a permit pursuant to this chapter. The applicant shall comply with all applicable State and County regulations including, but not limited to, the following: 1. Large family day-care homes shall be located within a detached single-family dwelling. 2. A large family day-care home may provide care for more than twelve (12) children and up to and including fourteen (14) children if all of the following conditions are met: a. At least two (2) of the children are at least six (6) years of age. b. No more than three (3) infants are cared for during any time when more than twelve (12) children are being cared for. c. The licensee notifies a parent that the facility is caring for two (2) additional school age children and that there may be up to thirteen (13) or fourteen (14) children in the home at one time. d. The licensee obtains the written consent of the property owner when the family day-care home is operated on property that is leased or rented. B. Sufficient off-street loading space shall be provided in addition to the required off-street parking to serve the dwelling. The required loading space may be located within the required front yard. C. Outside play areas shall be screened from adjacent properties with either a solid wood fence or masonry wall six (6) feet in height. The fence or wall height shall be reduced to four (4) feet within the required front yard. This screening requirement may be reduced or eliminated by the Planning Director with the written consent of all abutting property owners. D. No signs other than those permitted by the applicable zoning district regulations shall be permitted.
Full Breakdown
Under Section 19.96.020, a large family day-care home must be located in a detached single-family dwelling, hold a State Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing license, provide off-street loading space, and screen outside play areas with a six-foot solid wood fence or masonry wall (reduced to four feet in the front yard). Care for 13 or 14 children is allowed only with specific age-mix, infant-count, parent-notification, and landlord-consent conditions. Note that California Health and Safety Code Section 1597.45, as amended by SB 234 effective 2020, declares small and large family daycare homes a residential use by right and bars local business licenses, fees, or taxes for operating one.
Violations & Fines
County permits issued under Chapter 19.96 may be revoked or modified under Section 19.96.060, and operating an unlicensed daycare can trigger enforcement by State Community Care Licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Kern County permit to run a home daycare?
How many children can a large family day-care home serve?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California home business overview
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