Child Care Facility and Daycare Center Regulations in Kissimmee
Child care facilities in the City of Kissimmee are generally allowed as a conditional use in all residential zoning districts and as either a permitted or conditional use in most commercial and industrial districts. In many commercial zones, these facilities are permitted by right unless they are located within 300 feet of a residential zoning district, in which case they must undergo a conditional use approval process. Additionally, the City of Kissimmee requires specific off-street parking ratios based on the presence of a dedicated drop-off area.
Zoning District Permissions
The City of Kissimmee classifies child care facilities according to the zoning district's nature. Permission levels include "Permitted" (P), "Conditional" (C), or "Not Permitted" (N). Districts marked as "P/C" are permitted by right unless they trigger the 300-foot proximity rule to a residential area, which then requires conditional approval [Section 14-6-37].
Residential Standard Districts
In the following City of Kissimmee residential districts, child care facilities are exclusively allowed as a conditional use:
| District Name | District Symbol | Permission |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and Conservation | AC | Conditional (C) |
| Residential Estate | RE | Conditional (C) |
| Single Family Residential | RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, RA-4 | Conditional (C) |
| Medium Density Residential | RB-1, RB-2 | Conditional (C) |
| Multiple Family Medium Density Residential | RC-1, RC-2 | Conditional (C) |
| Mobile Home | MH | Conditional (C) |
| Mobile Home Park | MHP | Conditional (C) |
Non-Residential Standard Districts
Permissions in non-residential districts often depend on the parcel's location relative to residential zones:
| District Name | Permission | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Professional Business (RPB) | Conditional (C) | [Table 4-2] |
| Neighborhood Commercial (B-2) | Permitted/Conditional (P/C) | Conditional if within 300' of residential [Section 14-6-37] |
| General Commercial (B-3) | Permitted/Conditional (P/C) | Conditional if within 300' of residential [Section 14-6-37] |
| Office Commercial (B-5) | Permitted/Conditional (P/C) | Conditional if within 300' of residential [Section 14-6-37] |
| Highway Commercial (HC) | Permitted/Conditional (P/C) | Conditional if within 300' of residential [Section 14-6-37] |
| Business Park (BP) | Permitted/Conditional (P/C) | Conditional if within 300' of residential [Section 14-6-37] |
| Industrial Business (IB) | Conditional (C) | [Table 4-2] |
| Airport Industrial (AI) | Permitted (P) | [Table 4-2] |
Form-Based Code Districts
Within the City of Kissimmee Form-Based Code area, child care facilities are more restricted and are only allowed in specific Neighborhood Open or Mixed-Use zones:
| Transect Zone | Permission |
|---|---|
| T4-O (Neighborhood Open) | Conditional (C) |
| T5-M (Mixed-Use Center) | Conditional (C) |
| T5-U (Mixed-Use Urban Corridor) | Conditional (C) |
| T1, T3, T4-R, T6, SD | Not Permitted (N) |
Development and Operational Standards
The City of Kissimmee mandates specific site design requirements to ensure the safety of children and the efficiency of local traffic:
- Location and Access: For multi-tenant sites, pick-up and drop-off areas must be separated from other tenant parking to reduce traffic conflicts. The pick-up area must be in close proximity to the building entrance to ensure safe ingress and egress [Section 14-6-37].
- Traffic Flow: Pick-up and drop-off areas must be designed so that off-site traffic flow is not negatively impacted by on-street stacking. The site must be able to absorb all queuing requirements during peak hours [Section 14-6-37].
- Residential Proximity: Any child care facility located within 300 feet of a residential zoning district requires conditional use approval, regardless of whether it is typically "Permitted" in that non-residential district [Section 14-6-37].
Parking Requirements
Off-street parking requirements in the City of Kissimmee are calculated based on the number of children the facility is licensed to serve and the presence of a dedicated drop-off area:
| Facility Type | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Child Care with Drop-off Area | 1 space per 10 children |
| Child Care without Drop-off Area | 1 space per 5 children |
Sections Cited
- Chapter 14-2: Terms Defined
- Section 14-4-5: Schedule of Uses for Standard Zoning Districts (Tables 4-1 and 4-2)
- Section 14-5-6: Site Standards (Table 5-1)
- Section 14-6-37: Child Care Facilities (Specific Standards)
- Section 14-7-22: Automobile Parking Ratios (Table 7-2)