Vermont Family Child Care Home Licensing Preemption

Under 33 V.S.A. Chapter 35 and Department for Children and Families Child Development Division regulations, family child care homes serving up to six full-time children plus four part-time school-age children must be registered with the state. Vermont's land use statute treats licensed family child care as a residential use that municipalities cannot prohibit through zoning, mirroring the home occupation protection in 24 V.S.A. Section 4412. Health, safety, ratios, and background checks are governed by uniform state rules. Local towns retain limited authority over signage, parking, and noise but cannot ban registered child care from residential zones.

Operating without registration, exceeding capacity limits, or violating health and safety rules may result in license revocation, civil penalties, and child welfare investigations under state law.