Richland Township Cambria County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXII
Day-Care Centers, Family Day-Care Homes and Group Day-Care Homes
§ 240-129 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following words shall have the meanings indicated:
CHILD
For purposes of this Article XXII, a child is a person under 16 years of age.
DAY-CARE CENTER
A facility in which care is provided for seven or more children at any one time where the child-care areas are not being used as a family residence.
FAMILY DAY-CARE HOME
Any premises other than the child's own home, operated for profit or not for profit, in which child day care is provided at any one time to four, five or six children who are not relatives of the caregiver.
GROUP DAY-CARE HOME
A facility in which care is provided for more than six but less than 12 children at any one time where the child-care areas are being used as a family residence.
§ 240-130 Department of Public Welfare certification.
The day-care facilities defined in § 240-129 must hold an approved Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) registration certificate or license, as appropriate, and meet all current DPW regulations, including those standards governing adequate indoor space, accessible outdoor play space and any applicable state or local building and fire safety codes.
§ 240-131 Smoke detectors.
All day-care homes and facilities shall be fully protected by smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
§ 240-132 Standards for family day-care and group day-care homes.
Family day-care homes and group day-care homes may be located in any residential or university district by special exception and in any other district by right subject to the following safeguards:
A.
Parking. The following standards shall govern parking:
(1)
The general provisions of §§ 240-105 and 240-106 shall apply to all family day-care homes and group day-care homes.
(2)
In all districts, in addition to any other parking spaces required in relation to other uses of a building, there shall be one off-street parking space for each nonresident employee or nonresident/full-time volunteer and one safe passenger unloading space measuring at least nine feet by 20 feet.
(3)
In all districts where a nonresidential structure is used, the standards of § 240-107 shall apply.
B.
Fencing. The required outdoor play area shall be surrounded by a safety fence or natural barrier, provided that any fence shall conform to the height limitations relating to fences in the zoning district in which it is located.
C.
Hours. Outside play shall be limited to the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
D.
Signs. Any sign shall comply with standards governing signs as below:
(1)
In residential districts, the standards of § 240-113B shall apply.
(2)
In all other areas, the sign shall not exceed 24 square feet and shall comply with § 240-114D(5) and (6).
E.
When day care is provided in a home, the amount of floor area devoted to such purposes shall not exceed 30% of the total floor area of the dwelling, and there shall be no change to the exterior of the building for the purpose of accommodating the day-care use.
F.
Lot size. The lot size of any family day-care home shall not be less than 7,500 square feet, and the lot size of any group day-care home shall not be less than 15,000 square feet. Any such home shall conform to the setback, height and building area requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.
§ 240-133 Standards for day-care centers.
Day-care centers may located in any residential or university district by special exception and in any other district by right after review by the Planning Commission, subject to the regulations of the zoning district in which it is located and the following additional standards, whichever is more restrictive.
A.
Parking. The general provisions of §§ 240-105 and 240-106 shall apply to all day-care centers. In addition, there shall be one off-street parking space provided for each employee or full-time volunteer and one safe passenger unloading space measuring nine feet by 20 feet for each ten children that the facility is licensed to accommodate.
B.
Fence. The outdoor play area required by state licensing shall be surrounded by a safety fence or natural barrier, provided that any fence shall conform to the height limitations for fences in the zoning district in which it is located.
C.
Play area setback. No portion of the outside play area shall be less than 30 feet from an existing occupied dwelling.
D.
Hours. Outside play shall be limited to the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
E.
Signs. Any sign shall comply with the following requirements:
(1)
In residential districts, the requirements of § 240-113B shall apply.
(2)
In all other districts, the sign shall not exceed 24 square feet and shall comply with § 240-114D(5) and (6).
F.
Concentration. No day-care center shall be established within 500 feet from another day-care center in any residential districts.
G.
Lot size. The minimum site or lot area shall be determined by the following table when centralized water and sewage service is provided.:
License Capacity (number of children) | Minimum Lot Size (square feet) | |
|---|---|---|
7 to 11 | 20,000 | |
12 and above | 20,000, plus 500 square feet for additional child (e.g., 50 children equals 45,000 square feet) |
