How Will New Fairfax Daycare Laws Affect You?

By William Callahan

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will host an information town hall meeting Saturday to go over new zoning regulations that will affect hundreds of home daycare providers.

In an effort to sync the county’s regulations with the state’s, supervisors voted last month to raise the number of children a provider can care for in a single-family home from 10 to 12 with a special permit.

A Virginia license allows a provider to care for up to 12 children. But Fairfax County ordinances only allow for seven children, unless a provider gets the new special permit for 12. 

Before the board's June vote, the county rarely enforced the child limit. Many providers took on a dozen children, arguing they were allowed to by the state. 

Providers have been outspoken in their opposition to the new laws, arguing that fees and the cost of getting in line with zoning laws would do in some daycares.

Daycares who aren’t seeking a special permit will not require zoning approval. The application fee for a special permit is $435.

The county has said it will grant providers currently caring for 12 children a grace period while they file the proper paperwork and wait for their special permit.The Saturday meeting will go over information on the new zoning laws and application requirements.

“This town hall will be a helpful opportunity for staff to initiate outreach and educate providers on the approved Zoning Ordinance Amendment,” Board Chairman Sharon Bulova said in a statement. “It will help providers prepare and file special permit applications and also outline a timeline for coming into compliance.”

The town hall will be held at 10 a.m. July 20 in the Board Auditorium of the Fairfax County Government Center.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that providers with permits in townhomes can only care for seven children. The zoning ordinance amendment allows up to 12 children in any type of dwelling unit, including townhomes, subject to a special permit.