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Family Day Home (Child Care) Within A Residence

What is a Family Day Home?

A Family Day Home is the accessory use of a dwelling unit as set forth in Subsections 32-300.02.15(a) through (d) of the Prince William County Zoning Ordinance and as defined in Section 63.2-100 VA Code Ann, to provide care during only a part of the twenty four (24) hour day for one (1) through twelve (12) children under the age of thirteen (13), when at least one child receives care for compensation, exclusive of the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home, and which may employ at any one time not more than two (2) persons not residing in the home, provided that such person shall be at least fourteen (14) years of age and shall be certified or otherwise meet the appropriate social service regulatory agency’s approval. The term “family day home” is not intended to include babysitting services of a casual, irregular nature in or outside of the child’s own home. It is also not intended to include cooperative, reciprocal childcare by a group of parents in their respective residences.

How to Obtain a Permit for a Family Day Home

  Step 1) Determine the permit type from the table:

Lot Size

Dwelling Type

Number of Children
Allowed in Addition to
Provider's Own Children

Permit Type Required
Any size Any type 4 or less None
Less than 5,000 sq.ft. Single-family detached 5 - 9
  • Special Use Permit
  • Home Occupation Certificate (HOC2)
  • Certificate of Occupancy
  • Business license, if applicable
Any size Mobile home, townhouse, duplex, multi-family, other as defined by the Zoning Ordinance 5 - 9
  • Special Use Permit
  • Home Occupation Certificate (HOC2)
  • Certificate of Occupancy
  • Business license, if applicable
5,000 sq.ft. or larger Single-family detached 5 - 12
  • Administrative action - Home Occupation Certificate (HOC2)
  • Certificate of Occupancy
  • Business license, if applicable

 

  Step 2) If the Family Day Home requires approval of a Special Use Permit contact the Planning Office at (703) 792-7615 to schedule a Pre-Application meeting. Click on the Application Package for A Special Use Permit for A Family Day Home.

 

  Step 3) If the proposed Family Day Home requires Administrative Action:

  • Complete the Home Occupation Certificate Application for Family Day Home (HOC2). Use the following steps to complete the property information section of the application.
    • To find the GPIN (Grid Parcel Identification Number), Zoning District, and Lot Size of the property go to PWC QuickInfo and type the property address in the search field. The necessary information will be displayed.
    • Use the information from the QuickInfo site to complete the property information on the application. To convert the parcel (lot) size from acres to square feet, multiply the acreage by 43560 to get the square footage of the lot.
    • Leave the Magisterial District field blank. This will be completed by county staff.
  • Before filing the application click on the current fee schedule for the application fee for a HOC2. The application fee is payable by check, money order, or bank draft made payable to Prince William County. The fee cannot be paid by credit or debit card. If filing the application in person cash is accepted only for the exact amount.
  • Submit the application and required fee in person to the Planning Office or by mail to the address on the application form.

Administrative Review Process

  •   After acceptance of the application by the Zoning Administration Division an acceptance notification letter will be mailed to the applicant.
  •   The Zoning Administrator will send a notification of filing for the proposed Family Day Home to the last known mailing address of any adjacent property owners.

Administrative Approval

  • If the Zoning Administrator does not receive any written objections from persons so notified within thirty (30) days of the adjacent property owner notification letter, the request for the proposed Family Day Home will receive administrative approval.
    • An administrative approval notification letter will be sent by mail. Upon receipt of the approval notification letter contact Zoning Administration support staff (703) 792-3340 to schedule an appointment to sign and receive a Home Occupation Certificate for Family Day Home (HOC2).
  • After you receive the Home Occupation Certificate for Family Day Home and prior to starting the Family Day Home business you must complete the following steps: 
  •  The Zoning Administrator may reverse denial of a proposed Family Day Home if all of the objections received from the adjacent property owners are withdrawn prior to the expiration of the 30-day appeal period.

Administrative Denial

  • If the Zoning Administrator receives a written objection from a person so notified within thirty (30) days of the notification letter the request for a Family Day Home receives an administrative denial.
  • An administrative denial notification letter will be sent by mail.

Appeal Option After Receiving an Administrative Denial

You may request a hearing before the Board of County Supervisors within thirty (30) days of receiving the administrative denial notification letter. The hearing will be held following public notice as provided in Section 15.2-2204, VA Code Ann. To request a hearing complete the Application for a Family Day Home (HOC2) Appeal, and file the appeal request with the Current Planning Division of the Planning Office within thirty (30) days of receiving the administrative denial notification letter.

  • If the Board approves the appeal request, you must complete the following steps in order to obtain a Home Occupation Certificate for Family Day Home (HOC2):
    • Complete the needed steps/conditions required by the Board;
    • Make an appointment with Zoning Administration support staff to provide documentation to show compliance with the conditions of the approved appeal case.
  • Zoning Administration support staff will verify compliance with the conditions of the approved appeal case and issue a Home Occupation Certificate for Family Day Home (HOC2).
  • After receiving the Certificate for Family Day Home, and prior to starting the Family Day Home business, you must complete the following steps:

 Questions:

Area Agencies offering CPR Training

  • Prince William Hospital Wellness Center     (703) 369-8543

  • Potomac Hospital     (703) 670-1504

  • American Red Cross - VA     (703) 368-4511

Virginia Department of Education: 

For information about the State required process to be licensed, please see the following:

 Business License Procedures:

  •  Business License (issued by Prince William County Department of Finance)
  • Virginia Tax ID Number

Additional Resources for Starting a Small Business: