7.060 Large Family Child Day Care.

A large family child day care shall be operated in compliance with all of the following requirements:

• A. Permit Required. No activity subject to the provisions of Section 7.060 shall be conducted without application for and approval of a business license.

• B. Location. In no case shall a residential property be directly abutted by large family day care properties on two or more sides.

C. Parking. All dwellings used for large family day care facilities shall provide at least three off-street automobile parking spaces, no more than one of which may be provided in a garage or carport. These may include spaces already provided to fulfill residential parking requirements.

• D. Drop-off and Pick-up.

  1. Drop-off and pick-up of children at a proposed day care home shall be staggered.

  2. Residences located on arterial streets (as shown on the General Plan Circulation Map) must provide a drop-off/pick-up area designed to prevent vehicles from backing onto the arterial roadway. Regularly available on-street parking stalls adjacent to the site may be considered to satisfy this requirement.

E. Fencing and Barriers. Any side or rear yard area intended for day care use shall be surrounded by a barrier to separate the children from neighboring properties unless the Director determines that a barrier is not necessary;

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

Ch. 7 Standards for Specific Land Uses | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance

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e.g., for properties not bordering developed properties. Examples of acceptable barriers include hedgerows, chainlink or wood fences, walls, and the like. Fences shall be installed to protect the children from possible hazards (e.g., swimming pools, ravines, vicious animals, etc.).

• F. Recreation Equipment. Recreation equipment exceeding eight feet in height located in any yard area intended for day care use shall be kept a minimum distance of five feet from perimeter property lines.

G. Noise. Noise generated from the proposed day care home must not exceed established standards and policies as set forth in the General Plan, i.e., not to exceed Ldn 60 as measured outside on neighboring property.

H. Fire and Building Code. Day care homes shall comply with applicable building and fire code provisions, with applicable Building Codes, Fire Code standards adopted by the State and administered by the City Fire Marshal, and with Social Services Department licensing requirements (California Administrative Code, Title 22, Division 2).

I. Performance Standards. The facility shall be operated in a manner consistent with the City’s Performance Standards and not adversely affect adjoining residences.

J. Garage Conversions. Conversion of a garage to living space requires a building permit and compliance with the parking requirements of this ordinance.