Showing ordinances that apply to Ferndale, MD
Ferndale is an unincorporated community (population 17,091) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Because Ferndale is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Anne Arundel County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The home daycare rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Anne Arundel County permits licensed family child care homes as of right under Article 18 home-occupation rules, consistent with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) licensing. Family child care is capped at 8 children; large family child care up to 12 needs additional review.
Family child care in Anne Arundel County is permitted by right in all residential zoning districts under Article 18 as a home occupation, but operators must hold an MSDE Office of Child Care license under COMAR 13A.15. A family child care home may serve up to 8 children, including the provider's own, with no more than 2 under age 2. Requirements include: background check (Criminal Justice Information System + FBI), medical exam for provider and household members over 18, CPR and First Aid certification, 24 hours of preservice training, annual continuing education, a fire department inspection for the home, Health Department water potability test if the home is on private well (common in southern parts of the county — Lothian, Harwood, Tracys Landing), outdoor play area, and safe water temperature (not over 120°F). Large family child care homes (up to 12 children, two providers) are available in certain zones and require additional MSDE review. Anne Arundel County charges no separate county daycare permit but does require a home-occupation zoning verification and a rental license if the provider rents the home. Dropoff/pickup traffic must not cause neighborhood congestion under Article 18's home-occupation operating rules.
Operating without MSDE license: closure, fines $500–$10,000 under Family Law §5-580. Exceeding capacity: license suspension. Zoning home-occupation violations: county citation $250+ and cease-and-desist.
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