Howell, NJ Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Howell Township Code § 188-64D, consistent with the Municipal Land Use Law at N.J.S.A. 40:55D-66.5b, makes family day-care homes a permitted accessory use in all residential zone districts in Howell Township, Monmouth County. The Township Council attaches conditions, and each one has a number.

Registration comes first. The property must be registered as a family day-care home under the Family Day Care Provider Registration Act, P.L. 1987, c.27 (N.J.S.A. 30:5B-16 et seq.). Capacity is capped: no more than five children at any one time, and the number can be extended up to eight, provided at least three children reside at the family day-care property. The day care is operated by, or employs, a resident or residents who are permanent full-time residents of the dwelling unit.

The home must have adequate utilities, such as warm and cold running water, operational bathroom facilities, electricity and heat. Outdoor play is permitted, and all play equipment must be maintained in a safe condition. Solid waste disposal must match other residential uses in the zone district, and sanitary sewerage capacity and quality must be normal for residential use, creating no potential or actual detriment to the sanitary sewer system.

Traffic and signs are tightly drawn. Delivery trucks are limited to U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service, Federal Express and similar services providing regular residential service. All vehicle traffic to and from the home day-care use is limited in volume, type and frequency to pickup and dropoff of children. There shall be no signage of any type identifying the family home day-care usage.

Finally, the home must obtain a land use certificate from the Township. Section 139-31F sets the fee for the family home day care certificate at $85.