Child & Adult Care Facility Inspections

The Washtenaw County Health Department's Environmental Health Division performs consultative inspections for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to review health and safety issues at child and adult care facilities.

Child care centers, family and group child care homes, children’s camps and adult foster care camps, adult group homes, and foster care homes may be required to have an Environmental Health inspection which reviews safety and sanitation of the facility. In addition, any child or adult care facility that has a private well and/or septic system may be required to have these systems inspected and approved by the local health department.  

If you wish to open a child or adult care facility, please contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Licensing Unit at 517-284-9730. In addition, for child care or group/family child care homes, review this Resource Guide to Childcare Licensure in Michigan. 

Environmental Health Inspection Requests

If you are required to have an Environmental Health inspection, your licensing consultant will give you an Environmental Health Inspection Request Form. Please complete the form and submit a copy to our office with a payment. Applications will not be processed without payment. A listing of current fees, as well as a Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF) can be found on our Applications, Forms and Fees page. Mail, fax or drop off your inspection request form and payment to our office.

• If mailing, mail your completed Environmental Health Inspection Request Form and check, money order, or completed Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF) to:
  Washtenaw County Environmental Health
  705 N Zeeb Road
  P.O. Box 8645
  Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645
• If faxing, please fax the completed Environmental Health Inspection Request Form and completed Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF) to:
  734-222-3930
  Attn: Tonya Harwood
• If dropping off, please bring your Environmental Health Inspection Request Form and payment to the Environmental Health Division office, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday:
  Western County Service Center
  705 N Zeeb Road
  Ann Arbor, MI 48103 

Inspection Appointments

Once the inspection request form and payment are received, a Sanitarian (health inspector) will contact you to schedule an appointment for your inspection. The Sanitarian will review the specific state requirements for your facility during your inspection. 

• Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers (PDF)
  • Specifically, we look at the information listed under Part 2 - Environmental Health. If applicable, we will also look at Part 5 - Swimming, and will evaluate any onsite well and/or septic system.
• Licensing Rules for Child Camps and Adult Foster Care Camps (PDF)
  • Specifically, we look at the information listed under Part 3 - Environmental Health and Safety. If applicable, we will also look at Part 4 - Swimming, and will evaluate any onsite well and/or septic system.
• Licensing Rules for Family and Group Child Care Homes (PDF)
  • We will evaluate any onsite well and/or septic system.

Radon Testing

Part of the requirements to operate may include a radon test, depending on your type of facility. 

Family and Group Child Care Homes (PDF) require a radon test of the home, with results showing the level to be below 4.0 pCi/L. 

• If radon testing is required for your child care facility, please email Angela Parsons or call 734-222-3869 for a free radon test kit.

Radon Rules

R 400.1934(4): A licensee shall test the child care home for the concentration of radon gas before the initial license is issued and every 4 years thereafter at the time of license renewal.

R 400.1934(5): The lowest level of the child care home must not have levels of radon gasses that exceed 4 picocuries per liter of air, except as provided in subrule (6) of this rule. Documentation of the results must be kept on file in the child care home. 

R 400.1934(6): If the levels of radon gases exceed 4 picocuries per liter of air in the lowest level of the child care home, the licensee shall notify the parents of children in care and have a radon mitigation system installed. The licensee has up to 12 months from the date of the first measurement to meet the standard in subrule (5) of this rule. 

Additional radon information

• Elevated radon levels can be reduced, but first you should confirm that you really have a problem by conducting follow-up measure. When a problem has been confirmed, you may want to hire a professional radon mitigation contractor to help you reduce the levels. A radon mitigation system is the most common technique used in Michigan. A radon mitigation system uses a vent pipe and fans to remove radon vapors from under your foundation and exhaust them above the roof where it’s safe, ensuring the radon never enters your home. The cost of a radon mitigation system in Michigan can vary significantly depending on where you are in the state and who you hire. A typical range in price would be $750 - $1,500.
• You will need to retest your home 12 months after the first measurement that showed a high level of radon, and then retest every 4 years to verify the mitigation system is working properly and your levels of radon are safe. Even if your mitigation system has a readout, still so a separate test every 4 years.

If you have questions, please contact your licensing consultant.