A child care facility requires a development permit and must follow the requirements of the Zoning Bylaw and National Building Code of Canada.
Types of child care facilities
There are three types of child care facilities:
- Child care centre – provides care for 12 or more children
- Family child care home – provides care for up to eight children in a one unit dwelling
- Group family child care home – provides care for up to 12 children in a one unit dwelling
Child care centre
This type of child care facility is a permitted or discretionary (council) use in all residential zoning districts, except for CR1 and CR2; and all commercial and institutional zoning districts. Child care centres are not allowed in a dwelling unit.
Family child care home
This type of child care facility is a permitted use in all residential zoning districts and in the RMU zoning district. Family child care homes are not allowed in the same dwelling as a home based business, secondary suite, or on a site with a garage suite.
Group family child care home
This type of child care facility is a permitted use in all residential zoning districts and in the RMU zoning district. Family child care homes are not allowed in the same dwelling as a home based business, secondary suite, or on a site with a garage suite.
General requirements
Your child care facility may require one or more of the following:
- Provincial and public health approvals
- Meet National Building Code, Building Bylaw, and Fire Code regulations
- Building permit and inspections
- Business licence
Please see our Establishing Your Child Care Home or Centre brochure for further details.
