Fort Worth Zoning Regulations for Day Care and Childcare Centers
In the City of Fort Worth, day care centers are generally permitted by right in commercial, industrial, and most form-based districts. Operation within the Manufactured Housing (MH) district or specific sub-districts of the Berry/University (BU) area requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Standard one-family, two-family, and multifamily residential districts (Districts A through UR) do not allow day care centers as a primary use.
Permitted Zoning Districts
The City of Fort Worth categorizes "Day care center (child or adult)" under educational public and civic uses. The following table outlines the permission levels across different Fort Worth zoning categories.
Day Care Center Permissions by District
| District Category | Specific Fort Worth Zoning Districts | Permission Level |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | ER, E, FR, F, G, H | Permitted (P) |
| Industrial | I, J, K | Permitted (P) |
| Special Purpose | AG (Agricultural), Cf (Community Facilities) | Permitted (P) |
| Form-Based | MU-1, MU-2, NS (Near Southside), PI (Panther Island), CB (Camp Bowie), TL (Trinity Lakes), BU-CX, BU-SH, BU-IX, BU-CIV, SY (Stockyards) | Permitted (P) |
| Residential | MH (Manufactured Housing), PD (Planned Development) | Conditional Use Permit (CUP) |
| Mixed-Use | BU-RA, BU-RX (Berry/University Residential sub-districts) | Conditional Use Permit (CUP) |
| Prohibited | One-Family (A-2.5A to A-5, AR), Two-Family (B), R1, R2, CR, C, D, UR | Not Allowed |
[Section 4.603, Section 4.803, Section 4.1203]
Supplemental Development Standards
For any day care center or kindergarten requiring a Conditional Use Permit in the City of Fort Worth, the city council imposes several specific operational and safety requirements.
Permit Duration and Review
Conditional Use Permits for day care centers are issued for a limited timeframe, typically not exceeding five years. Operators may apply for successive extensions of five years, but each extension requires new notice and a public hearing. Before a decision is made, the City of Fort Worth may request reports from the health, fire, and traffic engineering departments [Section 5.111].
Space and Safety Requirements
- Outdoor Play Area: The facility must provide at least 100 square feet of outdoor play area for each child authorized by the state license to be cared for on the premises.
- Location of Play Area: Play areas must be situated in the side or rear yards.
- Fencing: All play areas must be completely enclosed by a fence or wall that complies with Fort Worth fencing standards [Section 5.305]. The city may require additional screening if it is deemed necessary to protect the children or adjacent properties [Section 5.111].
Operational Hours
The City of Fort Worth restricts the standard hours of operation for these facilities to between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. [Section 5.111].
Parking and Loading Requirements
The City of Fort Worth establishes specific parking ratios for day care centers and kindergartens to manage traffic flow and safety.
| Requirement Type | Fort Worth Standard |
|---|---|
| Base Parking Ratio | 1 space per facility |
| Per Child Ratio | 1 space per 10 children (based on state license) |
| Placement | Parking must be located in the back of the front building line |
[Section 6.201]
Sections Cited
- § 4.603 Residential District Use Table
- § 4.803 Non-Residential District Use Table
- § 4.1203 Form-Based Code Districts Use Table
- § 5.111 Day Care Center
- § 5.305 Fences
- § 6.201 Off-Street Parking Requirements