Pierce County loosens zoning rules to expand child care capacity, allows commercial centers in many residential zones

Pierce County’s Council on June 2 adopted zoning changes intended to expand child-care capacity and ease permitting for providers. The ordinance (O2026‑520S), as amended, authorizes day-care centers in most urban residential zones as permitted uses, allows certain centers in employment and rural commercial zones, establishes safety and buffering standards and sets operating parameters for home‑based and commercial facilities.

Mike Krueger, principal policy analyst, briefed the council on the ordinance’s content and the amendment that councilors adopted. He said the package would permit home‑based child‑care facilities in all zones as an accessory residential use, allow up to 12 children in home‑based settings with a state Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) waiver to 16, and remove some home‑occupation code requirements that previously constrained operators. “Home based childcare facilities would need to meet building codes, fire codes, and state licensing requirements,” Krueger said, and outdoor play would be restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For commercial child‑care centers, the amendment limits the number of children on‑site at any one time to 60, requires DCYF‑approved fencing and on‑site or nearby passenger pickup/drop‑off areas, and calls for screening or buffering between play areas and adjacent uses. The amendment also creates a new chapter of county code with standards for childcare facilities in urban residential zones.

Council members who spoke in favor of the changes described them as an important step to increase child‑care options and ease zoning and permitting burdens that have constrained providers. Council member Jensen, a co-sponsor of the amendment, emphasized the tradeoffs: "Permitting commercial childcare as an outright use in neighborhoods will increase slots, but it also changes the character of neighborhoods; that’s why we added limits and safety standards," Jensen said.

Nick Anderson, representing the executive’s office, thanked council staff and providers for their input and framed the ordinance as part of broader efforts to lower barriers to care and help families find local, affordable options. A child‑care provider who testified online, Alyssa Johnstone, thanked the council for expanding access and said the changes would help providers reach underserved parts of the county.

The council adopted the amendment in a voice vote and then adopted the ordinance as amended by a 7–0 roll call. Krueger told the council the Washington State Department of Commerce is developing a model ordinance for local governments and that guidance could arrive as early as the first quarter of 2027; councilors said they expect to revisit local standards if the state provides model mitigation measures.

The ordinance will be effective per the timeline in the adopted code; the council packet included committee amendments, a community equity note, and a fiscal note.