Irondequoit, NY Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

The Town of Irondequoit zoning code draws its lines by headcount. Section 235-4 defines three child-care categories. A family child-care home is a private residence, certified pursuant to New York State law, where care, protection and supervision are provided on a regular schedule to no more than six children, and the provider's own children count toward that total. A group child-care facility is also a private residence certified under State law, but it cares for at least seven and no more than 12 children, again counting the adult provider's children. A child-care center is a building or structure caring for more than 12 children on a regular schedule.

The headcount decides the approval path. Under § 235-8B(1), in the R-R, R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residential Districts the uses permitted only with a special use permit from the Town Board include child-care center and group child-care facilities. That list does not name the family child-care home, so the six-child definition is the dividing line the code itself prints between a home and the facilities that need Town Board action.

A group facility applicant files with the Department of Community Development. The Town Board then adopts a resolution acknowledging the complete application, sets a public hearing date, and refers the application to the Planning Board and any other required agency for comment. After the hearing is closed, the Board renders its decision. Site plan approval from the Planning Board under Article XV is also required where the proposed conditional use involves a new principal structure or a development classified as an unlisted or Type I action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

The definitions require State certification, so a Town of Irondequoit provider also answers to New York State's child-care licensing system, which is separate from the Town's zoning review. The Director of Community Development handles zoning administration, and the Zoning Board of Appeals hears appeals of zoning decisions.