Home Daycare: St. Clair Shores vs Sterling Heights
How do home daycare rules compare between St. Clair Shores, MI and Sterling Heights, MI?
St. Clair Shores and Sterling Heights have similar restriction levels.
St. Clair Shores, MI
Macomb County
In-home child care in Macomb County is licensed by the State of Michigan (LARA / MiLEAP), not the county. A family child care home covers 1–6 children and a group child care home 7–12; local zoning may add reasonable standards but cannot ban the use.
View full St. Clair Shores rules →Sterling Heights, MI
Macomb County
Sterling Heights allows licensed home daycare operations with limits on the number of children. State licensing and local zoning approval typically required.
View full Sterling Heights rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | St. Clair Shores | Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed by | State of Michigan (LARA/MiLEAP) | - |
| County role | None (no county license) | - |
| Family child care home | 1–6 children | - |
| Group child care home | 7–12 children | - |
| Zoning | Residential use; cannot be banned | - |
| Small Daycare | - | 6 to 8 children typical |
| Large Daycare | - | Conditional use permit |
| License | - | State required |
| Inspections | - | Regular state visits |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
St. Clair Shores FAQ
Does Macomb County license my in-home daycare?
No. In-home child care is licensed by the State of Michigan (LARA Child Care Licensing, now under MiLEAP), not by Macomb County. You apply to the state, not the county.
How many children can I watch?
A family child care home covers 1–6 unrelated children and a group child care home 7–12, under MCL 722.111. More than 12 requires a child care center license instead.
Can my township ban a home daycare?
No. Michigan treats a licensed family child care home as a residential use, so a city or township cannot zone it out of residential districts, though it may apply reasonable, non-discriminatory standards.
Sterling Heights FAQ
How many children can I care for in my home?
Small family daycares in Sterling Heights typically allow 6-8 children with a state license. Larger operations need additional permits.
Do I need a zoning permit for a home daycare?
Small daycares are often allowed by right in residential zones. Larger operations in Sterling Heights may need a conditional use permit.
Compare other topics
See how St. Clair Shores and Sterling Heights compare on other ordinance categories.
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