Home Day Care Permit

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There are three major types of daycare applications. The boxes below describe each type and the process to obtain the appropriate permit or application.

Small Daycare Home – 6 full time and 2 part time children

A day care home permit is allowed as an accessory use in any residential zone unless prohibited by the neighborhood and/or development covenants, and the daycare is limited in size. A Colorado State license is required to operate a home day care. 

Be sure that you check for any covenants and/or restrictions that may exist at your property prior to submitting an application. Covenants and/or restrictions are additional requirements that apply in neighborhoods and supersede City Code. If a covenant and/or restriction prohibits a home based business, a Home Day Care would not be allowed at the property.  The City does not enforce covenants and/or restrictions nor do they have jurisdiction over them. If you have questions about your covenants and/or restrictions, please contact your Homeowner Association.

Application Process

A $120 non-refundable review fee is required upon submittal of the application. Once approved, the daycare may obtain their State of Colorado licensure and then continue without any renewal requirement. 

Daycare Home Size Restrictions

To qualify for approval under the Daycare Home Permit, a daycare must accommodate no more than a total of six (6) children on a full-time basis plus two (2) additional children on a part-time basis. 

Employees

Unlike Home Occupations, one part-time employee who does not reside at the home is allowed to work at the daycare home. When the normal daycare provider cannot be present, the substitute provider is allowed to work.

Signage

Since home daycares are accessory uses and are located in neighborhoods, a small wall sign no more than two (2) square feet is allowed to be placed on the home.

Outdoor Space

State-required outdoor space must not be located within any front building setback (see Property Zoning) and must be screened from adjacent properties to reduce play area noise.

Additional Information

Childcare facilities are licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Large Daycare Home – 7 to 12 full time children

A large daycare home can allow 7-12 children in a residential zone district, a conditional use application must be submitted and reviewed by the City Land Use Review Division prior to approval of a large daycare home. This application requires an internal review process and a final decision by City Planning Commission. If you are interested in learning more about this application type, please submit a request for a Pre-Application Meeting. A planner from the LUR Division will meet with you to determine the issues and necessary applications relating to your request.

Daycare Home Size Restrictions

To qualify for approval under the Large Daycare Home Permit, a daycare must accommodate between 7 and 12 full time children. 

Employees

Unlike Home Occupations, one part-time employee who does not reside at the home is allowed to work at the daycare home. When the normal daycare provider cannot be present, the substitute provider is allowed to work.

Signage

Since home daycares are accessory uses and are located in neighborhoods, a small wall sign no more than two (2) square feet is allowed to be placed on the home.

Outdoor Space

State-required outdoor space must not be located within any front building setback (see Property Zoning) and must be screened from adjacent properties to reduce play area noise.

Additional Criteria

For licensed large daycare homes, contact both the Regional Building Department and the Colorado Springs Fire Department to determine if additional Building and Fire Code requirements apply.

Childcare facilities are licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Daycare Center – Daycares located in an office or commercial zone district

A Daycare Center is a daycare facility for more than 6 full time children and generally located in an office or commercial zone district. A development plan or conditional use must be approved prior to using a office or commercial building for a daycare center. If you are interested in learning more about this application type, please submit a request for a Pre-Application Meeting.  

For daycare centers, contact both the Regional Building Department and the Colorado Springs Fire Department for Building and Fire Code requirements. A daycare center must meet the following standards:

  1. A daycare center shall provide the minimum square footage of indoor and outdoor space per person that complies with the State's requirements. No part of the required outdoor space shall be situated within any front building setback. The required outdoor space shall be screened from adjacent residential properties when necessary and appropriate to reduce play area sounds.
  2. A daycare center must be located on a collector street which is a street having direct access to a minor or major arterial roadway.