Haverford, PA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

In the R-1 Low-Density Residential District, § 182-202B(1)(d) permits by right day care for not more than two children not related by blood or marriage to the residents of the dwelling, and states that such use is not subject to the licensing requirements for a business operation. Section 182-106 defines residential day care as the care or supervision of three or more persons under the age of 16 who are not related by blood or marriage to the residents or occupants of the dwelling, so a third unrelated child moves the household into the special exception tier.

Section 182-202B(3)(f) permits day care for not more than six unrelated children as a special exception authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board after review by the Planning Commission, subject to six regulations. The use must be in the dwelling in which the operator or care giver resides. Not more than one person who is not a resident of the dwelling can be engaged or employed. The use must be clearly incidental to the residential use and cannot include alterations or renovations inconsistent with it. No window or other signs can be displayed at the site. Buffering and site improvements must follow § 182-718. A minimum of three off-street parking spaces must be provided in addition to those required for the dwelling, designed under §§ 182-707A and 182-718A.

Section 182-718 applies to a special exception use in the R-1 through R-6 Districts. Parking spaces must be delineated by painted lines or markers, and all vehicular entrances and exits to parking areas must be clearly designated. A planted visual barrier is required between the use and a lot used for residence purposes, 20 feet wide in residential districts, unless natural or manmade barriers exist or the Zoning Hearing Board finds screening unnecessary or impracticable. The R-1A and R-2 Districts take their permitted uses from the R-1 District (§§ 182-203B(1) and 182-204B(1)).