Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Los Angeles, CA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Free from the IRS — apply online and receive your EIN immediately upon approval; the IRS never charges for an EIN (avoid third-party sites that do). Federally required if you hire employees or operate as a corporation or partnership (including a multi-member LLC); a single-member LLC with no employees and no excise-tax liability may use the owner's SSN instead, though most banks ask for an EIN to open a business bank account. Child-care subsidy (CCDF) programs are run by state agencies that will ask for a taxpayer ID when you enroll as a provider — an EIN satisfies this and keeps your SSN private.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. California CDSS — Small Family Day Care Home License

   License from CDSS Community Care Licensing to care for up to 8 children (with school-age composition conditions). Requires orientation, DOJ/FBI background checks for adults in the home, health screening/TB clearance, 15 hours of preventive health & safety training (incl. pediatric CPR/first aid), and a pre-licensing visit. In lieu of mandatory insurance, providers may carry liability insurance ($100k/$300k), a $300k bond, or parent-signed affidavits (HSC §1597.531).

   Official government source

   $73 original application fee + $73 annual fee (HSC §1596.803)·3–6 months from application to license issuance

   $73 original application fee + $73 annual fee (HSC §1596.803)

   3–6 months from application to license issuance

2. California CDSS — Large Family Day Care Home License

   Required for 7–14 children (including provider's own under 10). All small family day care requirements apply, plus: the provider must have been licensed as a small family day care home for at least 1 year, an additional qualified adult must be present at all times when caring for 7–14 children.

   Official government source

   $140 original application fee + $140 annual fee (HSC §1596.803)·3–6 months

   $140 original application fee + $140 annual fee (HSC §1596.803)

   3–6 months

3. Background Check — DOJ and FBI Fingerprints

   All adults 18+ living in or regularly present in the facility must submit fingerprints to the California DOJ and FBI through the CDSS LiveScan process. Results are reviewed as part of the licensing process.

   Official government source

   $70–$100 per person (LiveScan processing fees)·2–6 weeks

   $70–$100 per person (LiveScan processing fees)

   2–6 weeks

4. Preventive Health and Safety Practices Training (15 Hours)

   California requires 15 hours of training in Preventive Health and Safety Practices, including CPR, first aid, and health and safety procedures for children. Must be completed before license issuance. Approved courses available online through the California Child Care Initiative Project and other providers.

   Official government source

   $50–$150·Completed before license issuance

   $50–$150

   Completed before license issuance

5. California Seller's Permit (if applicable)

   Child care services are generally not subject to California sales tax. A Seller's Permit is not required for pure child care services. However, if you sell goods (e.g., meals, supplies) separately, register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. City of Los Angeles — No Separate Zoning Permit Required

   Under California law (SB 234, Health & Safety Code §1597.40 et seq., effective 2020), both small family child care homes (up to 8 children) and large family child care homes (up to 14 children) are a residential use of property by right in any residential zone or dwelling type. The City of Los Angeles may not require a zoning permit, conditional use permit, business license, fee, or neighbor notification to operate a licensed family child care home. State licensing through the California Department of Social Services still applies.

   Official government source

   Free (no local permit may be required)·No zoning approval required for small family day care

   Free (no local permit may be required)

   No zoning approval required for small family day care

2. City of Los Angeles Business Tax Registration Certificate

   All businesses operating in the City of Los Angeles must register with the Office of Finance for a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC). Registration itself has no fee. The first year of business is not tax-exempt — first-year tax is paid as 'back tax' at the first annual renewal. Businesses with worldwide gross receipts of $100,000 or less pay $0 tax under the Small Business Exemption, provided the annual renewal is filed on time.

   Official government source

   $0 to register; annual tax based on gross receipts ($0 if worldwide gross receipts are $100,000 or less and renewal is filed on time)·1–2 weeks

   $0 to register; annual tax based on gross receipts ($0 if worldwide gross receipts are $100,000 or less and renewal is filed on time)

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• CA CDSS — Family Child Care Homes
• CA CDSS — Get Licensed (Family Child Care)
• City of LA — Business Tax
• CA Health & Safety Code §1597.40 (Zoning Protections)

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