Islip, NY Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Section 68-48A(1)(l), the Accessory Uses list for the Residence AAA District, permits 'Residential day care' alongside private garages, home occupations and residential docks, subject to two conditions: the provider 'must be licensed and registered by the Long Island regional headquarters of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS), who are responsible for registration, licensing and enforcement of residential day cares in Suffolk County,' and must meet all New York State building codes, Health Department codes, and OCFS requirements. The category is defined in § 68-3 as either a Family Day-Care Home -- caring for three to six children more than three hours a day, or up to seven or eight if no more than six are under school age and OCFS has approved the extra capacity -- or a Group Family Day-Care Home, covering seven to ten children of all ages (or up to twelve if all are over two), with one caregiver required for every two children under two and an assistant mandatory once seven or more children are present.

This is distinct from a 'child day-care center,' which § 68-48A(1)(k) allows only as an accessory use to a church, community building or educational institution, not a private home. Islip itself does not run a separate licensing desk for home day cares -- it leans on the state OCFS process while confirming zoning eligibility as an accessory residential use.