Haverford, PA Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Haverford Township defines day care twice in § 182-106. The residential version covers the care or supervision of three or more persons under the age of 16 who are not related by blood or marriage to the residents or occupants of the dwelling. The nonresidential version covers care, supervision or instruction given to three or more persons under the age of six at a nonresidential facility, and the Code adds that, notwithstanding any other provision, a license from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Public Welfare, is required for all day care provided at a nonresidential facility.

Where a center can locate is set in Chapter 182. The C-2 Neighborhood Commercial District lists a day-care facility among its uses by special exception, subject to § 182-718. Under § 182-901B(4) the Zoning Officer issues a permit for a special exception only after the Zoning Hearing Board approves it. In the INS Institutional Districts, day care is an accessory use to a church or public school, provided the off-street parking requirements for the main use have been met.

Section 182-718 adds physical site standards for commercial and institutional districts: parking spaces delineated by painted lines or markers, bumper guards or wheel stops when necessary for safety, surface drainage connected to the drainage system, clearly designated vehicle entrances and exits, and lighting if spaces are used during evening hours. A planted visual barrier is required between a commercial or institutional district and a contiguous residential district, with a minimum width of 10 feet in office and commercial districts and 30 feet in institutional districts. Section 182-718H requires at least one entranceway at ground level and an all-weather paved surface at every pedestrian entrance, with curbing separating parking areas, streets and driveways. Section 182-718F requires lighting to be completely shielded from traffic on any public right-of-way and from any residential district. A zoning permit is required before a change in use or occupancy of a building and is issued simultaneously with the required building permit (§ 182-902A).