Child Care within a Residence

To apply for zoning approval to operate a family day care business in the home, provide:

• Application form (HOC2) - should be submitted in person (faxes or applications sent by mail are not accepted). Renewals may be sent by mail (with all required supporting documents as noted below) if the use remains at the same address and no changes have been made.
• Personal picture identification, showing proof of current residence (such as a valid drivers license or DMV identification card); this must be presented at time of application.
• Current infant and pediatric CPR training certificate, from an approved certification center (Internet certificates are not accepted); this must be presented at time of initial application and renewal.
• The following agencies offer CPR Training:
• Prince William Hospital Wellness Center (703-369-8543)
• Potomac Hospital (703-670-1504)
• American Red Cross (703-368-4511)
• Proof of Trade Name Registration (i.e. Assumed Name Certificate - may not be required if using the applicant/owner's name for trade name).
• Trade names are applied for in-person at the Judicial Center, 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, Virginia 20110. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Visit the PWC Clerk of the Circuit Court's Web page for information or call 703-792-6045.
• If the business will not operate under a trade name, the applicant must apply for HOC (Home Occupation Certificate - Family Day Care) under the applicant's name.
• A certificate of occupancy fee is paid at the time of initial application (required by Building Development).
• Renewal applications for the same location do not require a new occupancy permit. If the business is transferred to a new location, a new zoning approval and new occupancy permit must be obtained for the new location.

Please note:

• Family Day Care businesses are subject to the provisions of Sec. 32-300.02 (15) of the Prince William County Zoning Ordinance (conditions/restrictions are also listed on the HOC2 application form).
• One outside employee (CPR certified) is allowed (contact Social Services at 703-792-7500 for age-limit restrictions).
• The applicant is responsible for renewing the Family Home Day Care zoning approval annually.
• The maximum number of children allowed does not include the applicant’s own children.

•  State of Virginia certification (required only if requesting to provide care for more than five children).
• See the Virginia Department of Social Services Website or call 877-769-6350 for certification information.
• House must be a single-family detached dwelling.
• Lot size must be at least five thousand (5,000) square feet.
• The keeping of more than five (5) children, in addition to the provider’s own children, as defined in Part 100, within a mobile home, townhouse, two-family dwelling, multifamily dwelling, other dwellings as defined by this ordinance, or a single-family detached dwelling unit on a lot with less than five thousand (5,000) square feet, shall require, in addition to a business license and certificate of occupancy, a Special Use Permit.
• No more than nine (9) children, including those that are the provider’s own children under six (6) years of age, shall be allowed.

•  An approved Special Use Permit
  • See the Special Use Permit process and application.
  • State of Virginia certification

•  Business License (issued by Prince William County Department of Finance)
  • See the Finance Department Web Page or call 703-792-6710 for additional information.
• Virginia Tax ID Number
  •  Businesses that will operate as a corporation are required to register with the Virginia Department of Taxation (804-367-8037).

• Virginia Business Information Center
• U.S. Small Business Administration