Large Family Child Care Homes
The 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session established a four-year pilot program, administered by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), to expand the capacity of licensed family child care home providers from nine (9) to twelve (12) children in qualifying programs. Participation in the pilot program is limited to a maximum of thirty (30) endorsed providers per year and remains in effect through June 30, 2029.
Under the associated licensing framework, the local Building Official, when receiving a request from a licensed family child care home provider applying for a Large Family Child Care Home endorsement, shall first check that certification from the Zoning Office was provided on the endorsement form. Then, the official shall perform one of the following actions:
- Conduct an administrative review of departmental records, or
- Conduct a physical inspection of the property.
It is recommended that the Building Official obtain copies of the site and floor plans submitted by the applicant to OEC. These documents identify the specific indoor and outdoor spaces proposed for child care use and will assist in ensuring a consistent and informed review or inspection.
Upon completion of the review or inspection, the Building Official shall indicate one of the following on OEC’s Large Family Child Care Home Endorsement form: Approved, Denied, or No Approval Required. If a request is denied, the Building Official shall provide a written explanation identifying the basis for denial, including citation of the applicable code section(s) supporting the determination.
The Building Official is not responsible for calculating or verifying square-footage allowances or child-to-area ratios. These requirements are regulated and enforced exclusively by OEC. The Building Official’s review is limited to verifying that the dwelling unit is primarily used as a dwelling unit and is not vacant, and the following only within the areas proposed for child care:
- No unresolved violations exist that may compromise child safety; and
- No unsafe conditions are present, as defined under Section 116 of the International Building Code (IBC), as adopted within the Connecticut State Building Code (CSBC).
The primary objective of the Building Official’s review is to confirm that all designated indoor and outdoor child care spaces are free of life-safety hazards and are safe for their intended use. In accordance with CGS Sec. 19a-87b(a), a licensed family child care home shall not be subject to any conditions on the operation of such home by local officials if the home complies with all codes and ordinances applicable to single and multifamily dwellings.
Public Act requirements also mandate submission of a current Fire Marshal certificate issued by the local Fire Marshal. To promote regulatory consistency and avoid duplication of efforts, conflicting documentation, or discrepancies between agencies, it is strongly recommended that inspections by the Building Official and the Fire Marshal be conducted jointly or in coordinated sequence when practicable.
The 2022 CSBC does not permit the operation of a group child care home within an R-3 one- or two-family residence, nor does it permit a family child care home within a Group R-2 occupancy. Although the 2026 CSBC is expected to resolve these inconsistencies, until such provisions are formally adopted and in effect, any provider proposing these arrangements must submit a request for modification. Requests must be submitted to the Office of the State Building Inspector for both Group R-3 and Group R-2 conditions, and additionally to the Office of the State Fire Marshal for Group R-2 conditions, for formal review and approval.
Please contact this office should additional clarification or information be required.
Sincerely,
Omarys Vasquez, AIA, NOMA
State Building Inspector
