Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Warwick

Warwick, RI Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)

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

Key Facts

Occupancy cap
6 children max, 8 total receiving care
Zoning status
Permitted by right in residential, O, GB, Village
Definition
Zoning Ordinance § 200.48
Larger operations
Over cap requires Day Care Facility use, 704.2
Zoning violation fine
Up to $500 per day

Summary

Warwick's zoning ordinance treats a family day care home, capped at six children plus up to eight total individuals receiving care, as a permitted use by right in all four residential districts, the Office district, and General Business, under Table 1's Use Code 704.1 and the definition at Section 200.48.

200.48. Day care—Family day care home. Any home other than the individual's home in which day care in lieu of parental care or supervision is offered at the same time to six or less individuals who are not relatives of the caregiver, but may not contain more than a total of eight individuals receiving day care.

View official code

Full Breakdown

1 and marks it 'Yes' (permitted by right) in the A-40, A-15, A-10, and A-7 residential districts, the Office district, General Business, and the Village district, while it is prohibited in Open Space, Waterfront Business, Light Industrial, General Industrial, Intermodal, and Gateway districts. 2, which requires a special use permit or a different approval path in most of the same districts. Operators must still separately secure any required state family child care licensing.

Violations & Fines

Running a day care home that exceeds the six-children, eight-person cap without qualifying as a permitted Day Care Facility (704.2), or operating in a district where Table 1 marks the use 'No,' is a zoning violation under Section 1006. The building official may fine the property owner up to $500 per day, with each day of continued operation counted as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many children can a home day care serve in Warwick without extra permits?
Up to six children who are not relatives of the caregiver at the same time, with no more than eight individuals total receiving day care in the home. Section 200.48 sets that cap, and Table 1 permits a home meeting it by right in every residential district, plus Office, General Business, and the Village district.
Does a Warwick family day care home need a special use permit?
No, as long as it stays within the six-child, eight-person cap in Section 200.48. Table 1 marks Use Code 704.1 'Yes,' meaning by right, in the A-40, A-15, A-10, A-7, O, GB, and Village districts, so no zoning board hearing is required in those zones.
What happens if a home day care grows past six children?
It stops qualifying as a family day care home under Section 200.48 and becomes a 'Day care facility' under Use Code 704.2, which is treated differently under Table 1 in most of the same districts and can require additional zoning board review depending on the district.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Warwick

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsZoning & Home Occupation PermitsSome RestrictionsSignage RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All Warwick rules

Compare Warwick to another location·View the Rhode Island home business overview

Get notified when Home Daycare in Warwick, RI changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.