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Michigan Statewide Rule

Michigan Family And Group Child Care Home State Preemption

Few RestrictionsApplies statewide across Michigan (2026)

Key Facts

Statute
MCL 722.115a
Family home capacity
1-6 children
Group home capacity
7-12 children
Licensing agency
LARA BCHS
Last verified: September 5, 2026Source: Michigan Legislature

Summary

Michigan's Child Care Organizations Act preempts local zoning that would exclude licensed family or group child care homes from residential districts.

(3) For a county or township, a family child care home is a residential use of property for the purposes of zoning and a permitted use in all residential zones and is not subject to a special use or conditional use permit or procedure different from those required for other dwellings of similar density in the same zone.

Source: Michigan LegislatureView official code

Full Breakdown

Under MCL 722.115a, licensed family child care homes (1-6 children) are treated as residential uses by right and cannot be zoned out by local ordinance. Group child care homes (7-12 children) must be permitted in single-family residential districts subject only to special-use review on issues like signage, parking, and on-site staff. LARA's Bureau of Community and Health Systems handles licensing under MCL 722.111 et seq.

Violations & Penalties

Local ordinances that exclude or improperly restrict licensed homes are unenforceable and expose the municipality to civil liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my homeowners association ban a licensed daycare?
Restrictive covenants enacted after the home's licensure are generally unenforceable against licensed family child care homes under MCL 722.115a, though courts examine each covenant individually.
Does the state preempt safety inspections too?
Licensing inspections are conducted by LARA, but local fire marshals retain authority over fire and building code compliance under coordinated review with state licensing staff.

Sources

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