Fayetteville, NC Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- State license
- NC DHHS family child care home
- State capacity
- Up to ten children, five preschool max
- Separation
- 500 feet from bars and adult uses
- Floor area
- 15 percent of principal structure
- Play area
- 100 sq ft fenced per child
Summary
Home daycare in Fayetteville needs a North Carolina family child care home license from DHHS and must meet UDO Section 30-4.D.3.d: a 500-foot separation from adult and nightlife uses, 15 percent floor-area cap, one non-resident employee, and 100 square feet of fenced play area per child.
Such uses shall be licensed by the State as a Family Child Care Home and shall comply with all minimum State requirements; Such uses shall be located at least 500 feet away from the following uses: Adult entertainment; Bars, nightclubs, and similar establishments; and Entertainment establishments.
Full Breakdown
G.S. 110-86 defines a family child care home as an operator-occupied private dwelling serving more than two but fewer than 11 children. G.S. 110-91(7)b sets three capacity options: eight children with no more than five aged birth to five; nine children split three infants, three preschoolers, three school-age; or ten children if all exceed 24 months. The operator's own preschool-age children count toward the total; school-age children up to 13 do not. Fayetteville adds that the use be accessory to a single-family dwelling, sit at least 500 feet from adult entertainment, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment establishments, occupy 15 percent or less of the principal structure, and provide 100 square feet of fenced rear or interior side play area per child.
Violations & Fines
Operating unlicensed violates state child care law. Zoning breaches, including the 500-foot separation or the play-area shortfall, are UDO violations enforced under Article 30-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children can I keep in a Fayetteville home daycare?
Do my own children count toward the limit?
Can I run a daycare from a rented apartment?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fayetteville
Compare Fayetteville to another location·View the North Carolina home business overview
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