Home Daycare Permit Requirements in San Diego, 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

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

   3–6 months

2. California CDSS — Large Family Day Care Home License

   Required for 7–14 children. Must have held a small family day care license for at least 1 year. An additional qualified adult (not a household member) must be on-site when 7–14 children are in care.

   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 at the facility must submit fingerprints to the CA DOJ and FBI via LiveScan. Results reviewed as part of licensing.

   Official government source

   $70–$100 per person·2–6 weeks

   $70–$100 per person

   2–6 weeks

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

   15 hours of approved training in child CPR, first aid, and health/safety procedures required before license issuance.

   Official government source

   $50–$150·Completed before license issuance

   $50–$150

   Completed before license issuance

1. City of San Diego — No Separate Zoning Permit Required

   California law (Health & Safety Code 1596.78 et seq., as amended by SB 234 (2019)) treats both small family day care homes (up to 8 children) and large family day care homes (up to 14 children) as a residential use of property. The City of San Diego cannot require a zoning permit, use permit, business license fee, or neighbor notification to operate a licensed family day care home in any residential zone. State licensing through the California Department of Social Services still applies. Contact San Diego Development Services at 619-446-5000 only for property-specific building questions.

   Official government source

   Free - no city zoning permit may be required for licensed family day care homes·No zoning approval required

   Free - no city zoning permit may be required for licensed family day care homes

   No zoning approval required

2. City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate

   All businesses operating in the City of San Diego must obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the Office of the City Treasurer. It is a tax registration, not a regulatory license. The fee is based on employee count only: $34/year for businesses with 12 or fewer employees, or $125/year plus $5 per employee for 13 or more employees. Every application and renewal adds a $4 state-mandated SB-1186 fee, and beginning July 1, 2025 an annual Minimum Wage Enforcement Fee of $1.47 per employee also applies. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees·1–2 weeks

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• CA CDSS — Family Child Care Homes
• City of San Diego — Business Tax
• City of San Diego — Development Services

Related Guides