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Starting or expanding a child care business in a home

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Source: Starting or expanding a child care business in a home ↗ Last modified: Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:11:32 GMT

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This page provides information about establishing a child care business in a residence. If you are planning to set up a child care business in a commercial building, including churches or community centers, please visit the Commercial Certified Child Care Business web page ↗.

Step 1: Talk to your state Child Care Licensing Specialist

Identify your child care type and learn the next steps to start your child care business.  Contact the State of Oregon by email at occ.customerservice@delc.oregon.gov or by phone at 800-556-6616.

Based on a conversation with a Licensing Specialist, if your child care business qualifies as a Registered Family Child Care Home or a Certified Family Child Care Home, it may operate in a residence. If the State Licensing Specialist says that it will need a commercial license, please visit the web page for Commercial Certified Child Care Businesses ↗.

Step 2: Research property information

  • You can request copies of historic building permits and land use decisions through a formal public records request ↗.
  • Schedule a free 15-minute appointment with a city planner ↗. Ask a city planner if the space has an approved zoning use classification of Household Living.
  • Please be aware that Residential Certified and Registered Family Child Care businesses are prohibited from having external signs advertising their business, including A-frame signs on the sidewalk.
  • Schedule a free 15-minute appointment with a residential building code reviewer ↗. Ask a residential building code reviewer if the building has an existing child care use and whether will you need a building permit for the child care use.
  • Child care businesses may be located within a residence on any story that has a door to the exterior with an uncovered path to a public sidewalk or street.  Basements must meet specific requirements to avoid the installation of sprinklers.
  • Building Official Determination 22-01 outlines some building code requirements and has a list of conditions that you can discuss with a Life Safety Plan Reviewer.

Step 3: Obtain building and trade permits

Step 4: Obtain a City business license

Find out how to register your business with the City of Portland ↗ and learn about business taxes.