Pontiac, MI Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Pontiac's Zoning Ordinance folds group child day care homes into Section 2.506, the same provision governing state licensed residential facilities citywide. Because a group home cares for more than six but fewer than 12 children, as defined in the ordinance, it triggers the separation standard in Section 2.506(C): a minimum of 1,500 feet from any other state licensed residential facility, unlicensed residential facility, or boarding and/or lodging house, measured property line to property line. The Pontiac Planning Commission may allow a smaller gap only if it finds the closer spacing will not create an excessive concentration of such facilities in one neighborhood or citywide.

Section 2.506(D) layers on two operating conditions specific to group child day care homes: adequate on-site space for employee and resident parking and for pick-up and drop-off, arranged so vehicles do not conflict with pedestrians or interrupt traffic on the public street, and a 16-hour daily cap on hours of operation. A change of use to a state licensed residential facility also requires a zoning compliance permit under Section 2.506(F). The Pontiac building official inspects the site before issuing the permit and again every year after, and can terminate it if noted violations go uncorrected within a reasonable time, reporting the facility to the state licensing agency.

Community Development administers the permit, and the operator pays an inspection fee set by City Council resolution. These city siting and hours conditions apply once a home crosses from the small family tier into the group tier defined by this section.