Hamilton, NJ Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Section 550-138 sets five physical and operational standards for child- and infant-care centers permitted as a conditional use in several of Hamilton's residential districts. Subsection A requires that all facilities used by the children be located on the principal entrance floor or on another level no more than half a story above or below the grade where street egress is provided, so children are never housed deep in a basement or a high upper floor. Subsection B requires a minimum of 100 square feet per child of outdoor space, which must be adequately fenced or otherwise protected from hazards, traffic and driveways.

Subsection C sets a one-acre minimum site area for the whole use. m. Subsection E requires that all loading and unloading of children shall take place on site and not in the public right-of-way, keeping drop-off traffic off the street. Subsection F exempts infant-care centers specifically from the 100-square-foot outdoor space requirement, recognizing that infants don't use outdoor play areas the way older children do. Because child- and infant-care centers are listed as conditional uses in zones such as RRC and R-25 under § 550-73B(3)(b), an operator also needs municipal agency approval for the conditional use itself, in addition to meeting these § 550-138 design standards.