Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Nonresidential districts
- Permitted use under § 430-27
- Residential districts
- Conditional use under § 430-41B
- Minimum site
- Three acres
- Parking
- One space for every five children
- Play area fence
- At least four feet high
- Local license
- Township Division of Health
Summary
In Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, a child-care center is a permitted use in all nonresidential zoning districts under § 430-27. In the residential districts it needs conditional-use approval under § 430-41B: a three-acre site on a street that is not a local street, one parking space for every five children, state licenses, and a license from the Township Division of Health.
B. The operation of a public or private nonprofit school or child-care center, provided that: ... (1) The premises on which such facility is located fronts on and has access to a street classified as other than a local street pursuant to the adopted Master Plan of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. (2) The premises on which such facility is located contains a minimum of three acres of land. (3) One off-street parking space is provided for every five children attending such facility. ... (6) Such facility complies with all applicable requirements of the State of New Jersey, including Building and Firesafety Code requirements.[1] ... (7) All licenses or other approvals required by the State of New Jersey or any department or agency thereof for the operation of such a facility have first been obtained. (8) A license for the operation of such a facility has first been obtained from the Division of Health of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
Full Breakdown
Two sections of the Township Code divide the work. Section 430-27, added 7-10-1990 by Ord. No. 90:49, makes child-care centers, as defined in § 430-8A, a permitted use in all nonresidential zoning districts in the Township, in accordance with P.L. 1989, Chapter 286 (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-66.6). The definition of CHILD-CARE CENTER in § 430-8 reaches any institution that receives for temporary custody, for not less than two hours each day, six or more children under the age of six.
In the residential districts the use is conditional. The standards sit in § 430-41B of the R-R article, which the R-1 article picks up in § 430-50D and the R-2 article in § 430-59A. The premises must front on and have access to a street classified as other than a local street in the Township Master Plan, and must contain a minimum of three acres. Parking is one off-street space for every five children, placed in side and rear yards only, at least 30 feet from the property lines, and screened from adjoining residential property by landscaping. Unless the Planning Board exempts the facility, it needs an outdoor play area in a side or rear yard, at least 30 feet from the property line, enclosed by a fence at least four feet high. The play area must hold no less than 150 square feet for up to five children using it at one time, plus an additional 30 feet of play area for each child over the five-child threshold.
Pickup and delivery of children must take place on the premises with a safe means of ingress and egress approved by the Planning Board. The facility must comply with all applicable State of New Jersey requirements, including Building and Firesafety Code requirements (the Code points to Ch. 124, Construction Codes, Uniform), must obtain every state license first, and must obtain a license from the Division of Health of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. Under § 430-41B(9) the Planning Board can impose additional conditions and require studies it deems necessary to guarantee maximum protection of the children and of adjoining properties in Morris County's largest township.
Violations & Fines
Opening a center without meeting the § 430-41B conditions violates Chapter 430, which the Administrative Officer enforces. Under § 430-299 a conviction carries a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $2,000 for each violation and each day it persists, up to 90 days in the county jail, or up to 90 days of community service. A repeat offense within one year draws an additional, separately calculated fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a child-care center open in Parsippany-Troy Hills without conditional-use review?
How much outdoor play space does a center need?
Which licenses does a center need?
Can the Planning Board add conditions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Parsippany-Troy Hills
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