Royal Oak Township, MI Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Section 32-765(g) of the Royal Oak Charter Township Code applies to group child care homes, child care centers, nursery schools, day nurseries and preschools. The licensing rule comes first: in accordance with applicable state laws, all child care facilities shall be registered with or licensed by the state department of human services and shall comply with the minimum standards outlined for such facilities.

The play area rule is numeric. A minimum of 150 square feet of outdoor play area shall be provided and maintained per child, and the overall play area shall not be less than 5,000 square feet. The play area shall be suitably fenced and screened from abutting residentially zoned or used land by a greenbelt in accordance with article VII of the zoning chapter. The setback rule is separate: child care centers shall have a minimum side yard setback of at least 25 feet.

The zoning definitions draw the lines between facility types. A child care center is a facility, other than a private residence, receiving one or more preschool or school age children for care for periods of less than 24 hours a day, where the parents or guardians are not immediately available. A group child care home is a private home in which more than six but not more than 12 minor children are given care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours a day. A family child care home, where one but fewer than seven minor children are received, is treated differently: in the R-1A and R-1B one-family districts it is a permitted use subject to section 206 of Public Act No. 110 of 2006, while § 32-388(b) lists group child care homes and child care centers among the special land uses subject to § 32-765(g).

A child care center is also a protected neighbor under the regulated-use rules. Section 32-768(d)(2)b prohibits any regulated use, with no location waiver available, within 500 feet of any public or private school, day care center, nursery, or church, synagogue or similar place of worship.