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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSTAFF REPORT_D251_Child Care Centers Page 1 of 3 // #D-251 Staff Report Community & Economic Development // Planning Division STAFF REPORT #D-251: Child Care Centers Staff: Maya Simon, Associate Planner, msimon@rentonwa.gov, 425-430-7294 Date: June 17, 2026 Applicant or Requestor: Staff Summary To make siting child care facilities easier, new state law (SB 5509) requires Renton to allow Child Care Centers outright in almost all zones. These amendments are proposed to update zoning code to permit Day Care Centers in all residential zones, adjust conditions in specialty zones, and possibly add design standards for children’s health and safety. The proposal would also amend definitions for Family Home Day Care Center and Child Care Center to align with a state waiver that allows family day care providers to serve up to 16 children. Together, the proposed amendments should increase access to childcare for the nearly 12,000 children under 10 living in Renton. Background The state has long de-regulated child care zoning in an attempt to increase access and affordability of child care. Back in 1994, cities were required to allow “family day-care providers” in all residential structures (RCW 36.70A.450), which Renton complies with. In 2025, the state passed SB 5509, which requires cities and counties to allow “child care centers” as a permitted use in nearly all zones (RCW 35A.21.460). All facilities, whether in-home or not, still need to comply with state licensing and regulations through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). The RCW defines the difference between family daycare and centers: • Child care center is an agency that provides early learning for periods less than 24 hours. • Family day care provider is providing early learning services in their living quarters. They cannot have more than 12 children (16 if waived by DCYF). The new law, which we must comply with by July 27, 2027, has three parts: 1. We must allow child care centers, and the conversion of existing buildings for use as child care centers, as an outright permitted use in all zones, except industrial and open space zones. 2. We can impose “reasonable restrictions,” such as pickup and drop-off areas. Page 2 of 3 // #D-251 Staff Report 3. We can allow child care centers in other zones. In industrial zones, we must provide for conditional approval for on-site childcare, except around high hazard facilities. To comply with SB 5509, Renton needs to update code. Proposed Code Amendments Under current Renton code, Day Care Centers are permitted: in R-4 through RMF-2 with a Hearing Examiner CUP (no CUP required if accessory to a public facility); in IL, IM, IH outright; in CN, CV, CA, CD outright; and in COR, UC-1, UC-2 with certain restrictions. The proposed amendment would outright permit Day Care Centers in all residential zones (RC through RMF-2). They would remain permitted in IL, IM, IH, CN, CV, CA, and CD. To comply with the directive to impose reasonable restrictions, the condition in COR to co-locate with certain uses would be removed. Conditions in UC-1 and UC-2 that protect child welfare without being overly restrictive would remain (centers cannot be within 1,000 feet of the Renton Municipal Airport runway; they must be in a mixed-use structure; they must be architecturally and functionally integrated into the development). Additional restrictions are being considered to protect the health, safety, and welfare of children and families. These could include safe pedestrian access, increased setbacks for outdoor play areas, and adequate pickup/drop-off parking spaces. In order to align with state regulations, Renton’s definitions also need updating. Family Home Day Care Center (RMC 4-11-040.F) is defined as 12 or fewer children, not reflecting the waiver available under state code to have 16 children. Similarly, Day Care Center (RMC 4-11-040.E) is defined as “13 or more children” or any number in a nonresidential structure, but should reflect the potential Home Day Care waiver. Review Criteria Per RMC 4-9-025.E, all Title IV amendments must be evaluated against the following criteria: 1. Consistency and compliance with the Comprehensive Plan; and 2. All revisions must meet with at least one of the following criteria: a. The revision eliminates conflicts within the code or between the code and the Comprehensive Plan; or b. The revision changes code language to provide clarity, consistency, or ease of administration; or c. The revision directly implements policies of the Comprehensive Plan or City Business Plan; or d. The revision accommodates new policy directives of the City Council or Administration. In accordance with these criteria, the proposed amendments are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and implement adopted City policies. The 2026-2031 Business Plan includes Page 3 of 3 // #D-251 Staff Report the mission to “provide a safe, healthy, vibrant community.” Related goals from the Comprehensive Plan 2024 are to “promote a balance between housing and the amenities needed by residents…such as childcare,” “cultivate an energetic business environment,” and “build neighborhoods that promote community resilience.” Impact Analysis Effect on rate of growth, development, and conversion of land as envisioned in the Plan There are no anticipated effects on the rate of growth, development, and conversion of land envisioned in the Plan. Effect on the City’s capacity to provide adequate public facilities There are no anticipated effects on the City’s capacity to provide adequate public facilities. Effect on the rate of population and employment growth Increasing access to childcare may increase the rate of population and employment growth. Whether Plan objectives are being met as specified or remain valid and desirable Objectives of the Plan would remain valid and desirable. Effect on general land values or housing costs The proposed amendments should not have significant effect on land values or housing costs. Whether capital improvements or expenditures are being made or completed as expected The amendments do not trigger new capital facility demands, so no effects on capital improvements or expenditures are anticipated. Consistency with GMA and Countywide Planning Policies The proposed amendments are consistent with the Growth Management Act and King County Countywide Planning Policies. Effect on critical areas and natural resource lands No adverse effects are anticipated. Critical areas are regulated by existing City development standards, which will continue to apply. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments to the definitions, zoning use table, and associated development standards regarding child care centers.