Daycare community facility in residential neighborhood

I wanted to convert the first floor of an existing 2 family house to daycare facility and leave the 2nd floor as dwelling.  An architect told me I might have an issue with side yard because community facility requires 8′ on bothsides.  Is that true?  My sideyards are currently 5′ and 8′, and I dont see why that’s an issue for the conversion.  Thanks for any suggestions.

dz9001

in Building Code 13 years and 4 months ago

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southernslope | 13 years and 3 months ago

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My understanding is that the licensing and rules vary depending on whether you, the resident, are running a home based day care, or if you are intending on opening a business that is not contingent on you living in the home. I only know this from looking at various daycares, which seemed to be regulated differently.

dz9001 | 13 years and 3 months ago

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Thanks all for helpful advice.

364house | 13 years and 3 months ago

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You should also get DOH approval before you hire an architect.

364house | 13 years and 3 months ago

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Yard regulations varies and depends on the zoning district your building is located in. This is a change in use for which the conversion must comply with zoning and code. Recommend that you meet with DOB to get a predetermination. You can attend home owner’s night every Tuesday at DOB in the borough where building is located.

mike-the-expeditor | 13 years and 4 months ago

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Your architect may be interpreting the zoning laws too strictly. For a conversion of a two-family home to a day care you usually need two forms of egress, a floorplan that is legal and makes sense (e.g. child toilets) and all open violations cleared. Side yards and other set-back requirements usually apply to non-residential buildings (community centers, houses of worship, etc.) that are erected in residential areas covered by that zoning law.