Washoe County Home Daycare License

The 2024 Transition

If you've been researching Washoe County daycare licensing, you've probably found conflicting information — some sources say to apply through the county, others say to go to the state. Here's the definitive answer: as of July 1, 2024, Washoe County no longer operates an independent child care licensing agency. All child care licensing in Washoe County is now handled by the state Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) Child Care Licensing.

This means Washoe County providers follow the same application process, the same standards, and the same portal as every other county in Nevada. The old county forms, the Washoe-specific renewal applications, the $30 county renewal fee — those belong to the prior system. Your licensing relationship is now directly with the state.

Applying for Your License

Washoe County providers apply through the state's ALiS online portal, just like Clark County and rural providers. The process:

1. Create a NEATS account and complete the mandatory LAP orientation
2. Register your business through SilverFlume ($425 for an LLC)
3. Submit your application on ALiS ($20 for Family Care Home, $60 for Group Care Home)
4. DWSS assigns a surveyor from the Northern Nevada office in Carson City — contact: (775) 684-8781

The 90-day licensing window starts when DWSS accepts your application. Everything — background checks, local permits, training, physical home setup — must be completed within that window.

Local Permits Still Separate

The state transition unified child care licensing standards across Nevada, but it did not absorb the local municipal layer. You still need separate permits from your city or county:

Business license: Contact the City of Reno Business License Division, the City of Sparks Business License office, or Washoe County Community Services Department depending on your address. Each has its own fee schedule and application process.

Zoning verification: Family Care Homes (6 or fewer children) are protected under NRS 278.022 — local zoning boards cannot prohibit them in residential zones. Group Care Homes (7–12 children) require a Special Use Permit from the local planning commission, which involves a separate hearing and fee.

HOA and landlord clearance: NRS 278.022 overrides municipal zoning but does not override private HOA covenants or lease restrictions. Get written approval before spending money on licensing fees.

Health Inspection: NNPH

Washoe County health inspections are conducted by Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH), not the county licensing board that used to handle them. NNPH's environmental health team inspects:

• Kitchen compliance and food preparation standards (particularly important if you prepare meals on-site)
• Diapering station materials and sanitation procedures
• Hand-washing protocols and posted procedures
• General sanitation of child care areas

If your home daycare prepares meals, NNPH may require a kitchen permit. Contact their Environmental Health division to confirm what's needed at your specific address.

Fire Inspection

Fire clearance in Washoe County comes from the Reno Fire Department, the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, or the City of Sparks Fire Department depending on your location. Rural parts of Washoe County may be served by the Nevada State Fire Marshal.

The fire inspection covers the standard requirements: interconnected smoke alarms, a 2A:10BC fire extinguisher, two unobstructed exit paths, and a posted evacuation plan. Submit a Child Care Inspection Request Form to your fire authority.

What Changed (And What Didn't)

Changed: The licensing authority. You no longer apply to Washoe County Human Services Agency. No more county-specific forms or county renewal fees. Your license comes from DWSS.

Changed: The unlicensed threshold. Washoe County previously limited unlicensed care to two children — more restrictive than the state standard. As part of the transition alignment, Washoe updated its threshold to match the statewide rule: four unrelated children.

Didn't change: Your local business license requirement. Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County still control business permits and zoning approvals independently.

Didn't change: The physical standards. Indoor space (35 sq ft per child), outdoor space (37.5 sq ft per child), fencing (six feet), and all safety requirements remain the same under the unified state code.

Subsidy Enrollment for Northern Nevada

If you plan to accept subsidized families, your subsidy administration in Washoe County runs through The Children's Cabinet — not DWSS directly. The Children's Cabinet manages case intake, provider enrollment, and reimbursement for northern and rural Nevada. Contact them to start the Provider Service Agreement process after receiving your state license.

For a complete walkthrough of the Washoe County licensing path — state application, local permits, NNPH inspection, and subsidy enrollment — the Nevada Home Daycare Licensing Guide covers every step in the right order.

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