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Springfield, MA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Family child care home cap
6 children
Large family child care home cap
10 children
Assistant required
once enrollment exceeds 6
State license required
Mass. Office for Children, M.G.L. c.28A
Parking
1 space per non-resident staffer

Summary

Springfield allows family child care homes for up to six children, and large family child care homes for up to ten, as an accessory use in a private residence under state licensing.

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES --up to six (6) children --and LARGE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES -up to ten (10) children --shall be allowed as shown in Table 4-4 provided that: A. The USE shall be an ACCESSORY USE to an existing private residence. B. One (1) parking space shall be provided for every staff person who does not reside at the residence. C. The USE shall be conducted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter .28A and licensed by the Massachusetts Office for Children or successor agency.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Under Section 4.4.72 of the Springfield, Massachusetts Zoning Ordinance, a family child care home serving up to six children is a permitted accessory use to an existing private residence, and a large family child care home can serve up to ten children if it keeps at least one approved assistant once enrollment tops six. Operators must be conducted in accordance with M.G.L. c. 28A and licensed by the Massachusetts Office for Children (or its successor agency), and must provide one on-site parking space for every staff member who doesn't live at the residence.

Violations & Fines

Building Commissioner enforcement; criminal fine up to $100 first offense, $300 each subsequent offense, each day a separate violation (Zoning Ordinance § 11.1.21); loss of the required state license can also force closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a daycare out of my home in Springfield, MA?
Yes, as an accessory use to your residence: up to six children without extra staff, or up to ten as a large family child care home with an approved assistant, provided you're licensed by the state (Zoning Ordinance § 4.4.72).
What are the requirements for a family child care home in Springfield?
It must be accessory to an existing private residence, licensed by the Massachusetts Office for Children under M.G.L. c. 28A, and provide one parking space per non-resident staff member (§ 4.4.72).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Springfield

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant RestrictionsCustomer Traffic RestrictionsSome RestrictionsZoning & Home Occupation PermitsSome RestrictionsSignage RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Springfield rules

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