Childcare and Day Care Facility Permissions in the City of Raleigh
In the City of Raleigh, childcare facilities are categorized as either "Day care, home" or "Day care center" based on the number of individuals served and the nature of the operation. While home-based day cares are permitted as a limited use in nearly all Residential Districts, larger day care centers generally require a Special Use Permit in Residential Districts and are permitted by right in most Mixed Use Districts, with the notable exception of the Residential Mixed Use (RX-) District.
Use Classifications and Definitions
The City of Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance defines day care as a facility providing care, protection, and supervision for children or adults on a regular basis away from their primary residence for fewer than 18 hours per day [Section 6.4.1.A].
- Day Care, Home: Limited to a maximum of 8 persons and must be situated within the residence of the provider [Section 6.4.1.B].
- Day Care Center: A facility serving more than 8 persons where staffing must comply with all applicable state and local regulations, including nursery schools and preschools [Section 6.4.1.C].
Zoning District Permissions
The following table outlines the permissions for day care uses across the various zoning districts of the City of Raleigh.
| Use Category | Residential (R-1, R-2, R-4, R-6, R-10) | Residential Mixed Use (RX-) | Office Park (OP-) | Mixed Use (OX, NX, CX, DX, IX) | Agriculture Productive (AP) | Manufactured Housing (MH) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day care, home | Limited (L) | Permitted (P) | Not Allowed (--) | Permitted (P) | Limited (L) | Limited (L) |
| Day care center | Special Use (S) | Not Allowed (--) | Limited (L) | Permitted (P) | Not Allowed (--) | Special Use (S) |
Key: P = Permitted by right; L = Limited use (must meet specific standards); S = Special Use Permit required from the Board of Adjustment; -- = Use not permitted [Section 6.1.3].
Development Standards for Day Care Centers
When a Day Care Center is established within a Residential District in the City of Raleigh, it must adhere to specific minimum lot area requirements based on the number of enrollees [Section 6.4.1.C.2].
Minimum Lot Area per Enrollee (Residential Districts)
| Zoning District | Minimum Lot Area per Enrollee |
|---|---|
| Residential-1 (R-1) | 1,040 square feet |
| Residential-2 (R-2) | 1,040 square feet |
| Residential-4 (R-4) | 1,040 square feet |
| Residential-6 (R-6) | 640 square feet |
| Residential-10 (R-10) | 240 square feet |
General Standards for Home-Based Day Care
For a home-based day care in any City of Raleigh district where it is allowed, the following standards apply:
- The use must be conducted by a resident of the structure [Section 6.4.1.B.2.a].
- Accessory buildings or structures cannot be used for day care purposes [Section 6.4.1.B.2.b].
- Outdoor play equipment must be located at least 15 feet from any adjoining lot containing a dwelling [Section 6.4.1.B.2.c].
- No non-resident employees are permitted, except for a substitute provider if the owner/operator is ill [Section 6.4.1.B.2.d].
Parking Requirements
The City of Raleigh does not impose a maximum vehicle parking limit for day care uses. However, bicycle parking is required for larger facilities [Section 7.1.2.C].
| Parking Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Parking (Maximum) | No Maximum |
| Short-Term Bicycle Parking | None |
| Long-Term Bicycle Parking | 1 space per 10,000 SF of gross floor area (Minimum 4) |
Sections Cited
- Section 6.1.3. Key to Use Table
- Section 6.1.4. Allowed Principal Use Table
- Section 6.4.1. Day Care (Definitions and Standards)
- Section 7.1.2.C. Parking Requirements by Use