Dearborn, MI Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Family day care cap
- 1 to 6 minor children
- Zoning status
- By-right use, R-A/R-B districts
- State license
- Required under 1973 PA 116
- City requirement
- Certificate of Occupancy
- 7-12 children
- Becomes special-use group day care
Summary
Dearborn treats a family day care home caring for up to six children as a permitted principal use in R-A and R-B residential districts, requiring only a state license and a City certificate of occupancy.
Family day care home. A private home in which one (1) but less than seven (7) minor children are received for care and supervision under a license issued by the State of Michigan per 1973 PA 116 as amended (MCL 722.111 et seq.) and a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the City. ... In all areas zoned R-A and R-B One Family Residential ... except for one (1) or more of the following principal permitted uses: ... 7. Family day care homes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Dearborn's zoning ordinance defines a family day care home as a private home caring for one to six minor children under a license from the State of Michigan (1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 et seq.) and a Certificate of Occupancy from the City. Zoning Ordinance § 10.02.A lists family day care homes as a principal permitted use in R-A and R-B One Family Residential districts, allowed by right with no special land use review. Once a home serves seven to twelve children it becomes a group day care home, which drops into the special-land-use category and must meet the outdoor play area, frontage, and 25-foot side yard setback standards in Zoning Ordinance § 7.02.G.
Violations & Fines
Running a group day care home without special-land-use approval, or exceeding six children under a family day care license, violates the zoning ordinance; the general penalty allows a fine up to $500 or 93 days in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a home daycare in a Dearborn single-family district without a zoning permit?
What happens if I care for more than six children?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
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Home Daycare in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle home daycare.