§ 27-615.   Care Facilities.
   1.   Adult Day Care Center.
      A.   Licensing. The facility shall obtain a certificate of licensure from the appropriate state agency and shall provide a copy of the certificate to the Township prior to occupancy approval by the Township. The facility must be in compliance with all applicable Township health, building and fire codes.
      B.   Signs. Signage visible from the street in residential districts must comply with Chapter 27, Part 8, Signs.
      C.   Garbage. Adult care daily operations must screen and secure all outdoor trash and garbage facilities.
      D.   Parking. The adult care facilities shall provide parking in accordance with Chapter 27, Part 7, Off-Street Parking and Loading.
      E.   Indoor Space. Adult care facilities shall provide at least a minimum of 500 square feet of indoor space.
   2.   Child Day Care Center - Large.
      A.   Definition. A facility in which children of various ages who are not related to the operator receive childcare for a period not to exceed 24 hours at one time.
      B.   Licensure. The facility shall obtain a certificate of licensure from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (or successor agency) and shall provide a copy of the certificate to the Township prior to occupancy approval by the Township. The facility must be in compliance with all applicable Township health, building and fire codes.
      C.   Play Areas. Indoor and outdoor play areas shall be provided in accordance with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regulations, as specified in 55 PA Code, Section 3270. Outdoor play areas for children must be located in a side or rear yard and shall be sufficiently enclosed to provide for the health and safety of the children. Outdoor play areas must be screened in accordance with the Dover Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22]. A childcare center without at least 40 square feet of outdoor play area shall only be permitted if located within one-half mile walking distance of a public park.
      D.   Parking. The center should provide adequate parking and loading space in accordance with Chapter 27, Part 7, Off-Street Parking and Loading. Adequate vehicle stacking space must be provided for drop-off/pick-up of children.
      E.   Signs. Signage visible from the street must comply with Chapter 27, Part 8, Signs.
      F.   Residential District. In the residential district, the childcare center must be an accessory use either to the building or business.
      G.   Additional Requirements. All local licensing and permit requirements/standards shall be met.
   3.   Child Day Care Center - Small.
      A.   Definition. A care center in which seven to 12 children of various ages or in which seven to 15 children from 4th grade through 15 years of age who are not related to the operator receive childcare for a period not to exceed 24 hours at one time.
      B.   License. A Group Childcare Home must have a certificate of compliance ("license") from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare in order to legally operate. In addition, the home must be in compliance with all applicable Township health, building and fire codes.
      C.   Play Areas. Indoor and outdoor play areas shall be in compliance with DPW requirements as specified in 55 PA Code 3280. Outdoor play areas for children must be located in a side or rear yard and shall be sufficiently enclosed to provide for the health and safety of the children. Outdoor play areas must be screened in accordance with the Dover Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
      D.   Unsightly Conditions. Childcare daily operations must not cause unsightly conditions or waste that is visible from off the property except for normal trash loads placed on curb for regular trash pick-up day.
      E.   Signs. Signage visible from the street must comply with Chapter 27, Part 8, Signs.
      F.   Parking. The childcare operation must have sufficient off-street parking to accommodate residential use and employees in accordance with Chapter 27, Part 7, Off-Street Parking and Loading. The applicant shall provide an area for drop off/pick-up of children.
      G.   Traffic. The childcare operation must not create a volume of passenger or commercial traffic that is inconsistent with the normal level of traffic for the street on which the dwelling or building is located.
   4.   Domiciliary Child Day Care.
      A.   Definition. A business located in the caregiver's home in which four, five, or six children who are not related to the caregiver receive childcare for a period not to exceed 24-hours in at one time.
      B.   License. A Family Childcare Home must have a certificate of registration from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) in order to legally operate. In addition, the home must be in compliance with all applicable Township Health, Building and Fire codes.
      C.   Play. Areas Indoor and outdoor play areas shall be in compliance with DPW requirements as specified in 55 PA Code 3290. Outdoor play areas for children must be located in a side or rear yard and shall be sufficiently enclosed to provide for the health and safety of the children. Outdoor play areas must be screened in accordance with the Dover Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
      D.   Unsightly Conditions. Childcare daily operations must not cause unsightly conditions or waste that is visible from off the property except for normal trash loads placed on curb for regular trash pick-up day.
      E.   Signs. Signage visible from the street must comply with Chapter 27, Part 8, Signs.
      F.   Parking. The childcare operation must have sufficient off-street parking to accommodate residential use and employees in accordance with Chapter 27, Part 7, Off-Street Parking and Loading. The applicant shall provide an area for drop off/pick-up of children.
      G.   Traffic. The childcare operation must not create a volume of passenger or commercial traffic that is inconsistent with the normal level of traffic for the street on which the dwelling or building is located.
   5.   Domiciliary Adult Care Home.
      A.   Licensure. The facility shall obtain a certificate of licensure from the York County Area Agency on Aging and shall provide a copy of the certificate to the prior to occupancy approval by the Township. The facility must be in compliance with all applicable Township health, building and fire codes.
      B.   Location. The home must be an accessory use located in a single-family attached, detached or semi-detached dwelling unit.
      C.   Cooking/dining. No facilities for cooking or dining shall be provided in individual rooms or suites.
      D.   Operator. The family residing on the premises shall provide the care associated with a domiciliary care home.
      E.   Operator Residence. The domiciliary care home operator shall reside primarily at the dwelling.
      F.   Parking. Standards of Chapter 27, Part 7, Off-Street Parking and Loading, must be met.
   6.   Nursing Care Facility.
      A.   Licensure. The facility shall obtain a certificate of licensure from the appropriate state agency and shall provide a copy of the certificate to the Township prior to occupancy approval by the Township. The facility must be in compliance with all applicable Township health, building and fire codes.
      B.   Area space for social and welfare facilities, such as cafeterias, dining halls, community rooms, workshops and other essential service facilities, shall not occupy more than 35% of the total floor area.
      C.   Parking. Parking for employees and visitors must be provided on-site. Loading spaces should be provided at the rear or side of the property. Additional parking standards in Chapter 27, Part 7, Off-Street Parking and Loading, must be addressed.
      D.   Screening. All outside storage and dumpsters should be screened.
      E.   Sidewalks. Sidewalks should be provided along street frontage and parking lots to building entrances.
      F.   Signs. Outside signage for accessory uses is prohibited. Signage visible from the street in all districts must comply with Chapter 27, Part 8, Signs.
   7.   Personal Care Facility.
      A.   Licensure. The facility shall obtain a certificate of licensure from the appropriate state agency and shall provide a copy of the certificate to the Township prior to occupancy approval by the Township. The facility must be in compliance with all applicable Township health, building and fire codes.
      B.   Staff. On-site staff must be available to residents on a 24-hour basis.
      C.   Dining Area. A common dining area shall be provided to serve prepared meals to the residents of the facility. No facilities for cooking (microwave ovens are exempt) or dining shall be provided in individual rooms or suites.
      D.   Land Development Plan. Any new facility not located within a single-family dwelling shall be required to submit a land development plan.
      E.   The family residing on the premises shall provide the care associated with the personal care facility and the operator shall reside primarily at the dwelling.
      F.   Parking. Standards in Part 7, Off-Street Parking and Loading, must be met. Facilities which are accessory to a single-family dwelling must provide parking for the dwelling.
(Ord. 2024-01, 5/13/2024)