Framingham, MA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Framingham Zoning Code § 435-5 defines a Family Child Care Home as an accessory use to a dwelling that allows not more than six children in care, as defined in MGL c. 15D, § 1A, provided the dwelling and the provider have received a license from the state Department of Early Education and Care to provide family day care under MGL c. 15D. The zoning definitions treat this as accessory to the residential use of the home itself, meaning it rides along with whatever residential use is allowed in the district rather than triggering a separate commercial use classification.

The code separately defines a Large Family Child-Care Home using nearly identical language but for care of more than six children, again requiring the state Department of Early Education and Care license under MGL c. 15D. Both definitions tie zoning status directly to holding the state license: without it, the accessory-use classification in the Zoning Code does not apply, and the operation would not qualify as either type of home under the ordinance. Framingham's ordinance itself does not print a separate table entry spelling out a large family child-care home's district-by-district permit status beyond the § 435-5 definitions provided.