Family and group daycare homes in Dearborn must be licensed under Michigan MCL 722.111, meet LARA home-based child care rules, and comply with local zoning in residential districts.
Family child care homes (1-6 children) and group child care homes (7-12 children) operating from a residence in Dearborn are licensed by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) under MCL 722.111 (Child Care Organizations Act). State law preempts most local restrictions: family homes are treated as residential uses in any zone allowing single-family dwellings, and group homes must be spaced at least 1,500 feet apart. Dearborn requires the home to remain primarily residential in character, with no non-resident employees beyond those allowed by state rules. Fire inspections, background checks on all adult household members, and caregiver-to-child ratios follow LARA R 400.1901 et seq. Operators must notify the Dearborn Building and Safety Department if interior alterations (basement egress, handrails) are needed to meet licensing standards.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Dearborn, MI
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
See how other cities in Wayne County handle home daycare.
See how Dearborn's home daycare rules stack up against other locations.
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