Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Meridian, ID

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Idaho State Tax Commission — Sales Tax Permit

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Idaho. Idaho charges a 6% state sales tax. Some cities have local option taxes. Register with the Idaho State Tax Commission online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via TAP)

   Free

   Immediate (online via TAP)

2. Idaho Background Check Requirement

   Idaho requires owners, operators, staff, and any other individual age 13 or older who has unsupervised direct contact with children or is regularly on the premises (including household members at a family daycare home) to complete an Idaho and FBI criminal history and background check clearance through the Department of Health and Welfare's Background Check Unit. A clearance from within the last 3 years can transfer to a new employer.

   Official government source

   Fees vary; confirm current per-person cost with IdahoSTARS (800-926-2588) or the DHW Background Check Unit·1–4 weeks

   Fees vary; confirm current per-person cost with IdahoSTARS (800-926-2588) or the DHW Background Check Unit

   1–4 weeks

1. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — Child Care Facility License

   Child care centers in Idaho are licensed by the Department of Health and Welfare. IdahoSTARS collects the paperwork and walks applicants through the process; the local public health district collects the licensing fee and does the health and safety inspection. A licence is required if you care for seven or more children and are paid for at least one of them. Expect criminal-history background checks for everyone with unsupervised child contact, a fire inspection, CPR and first-aid certification, staff ratio compliance, and four hours of ongoing training per staff member per year. Check with your city or county planning and zoning office first — local ordinances can block a site before state licensing even starts.

   Official government source

   $325 for a large center (26 or more children at any time), $250 for a small center (13–25), $100 for a group facility (7–12), $100 for all other daycare facilities. Paid to your local public health district.·6–12 weeks, driven by background-check turnaround and the inspection schedule.

   $325 for a large center (26 or more children at any time), $250 for a small center (13–25), $100 for a group facility (7–12), $100 for all other daycare facilities. Paid to your local public health district.

   6–12 weeks, driven by background-check turnaround and the inspection schedule.

2. City of Meridian — No General Business License

   Meridian does not require a general business license, and there is no annual renewal or display requirement. A new business moving into a commercial space typically needs a Certificate of Zoning Compliance and a Certificate of Occupancy from Community Development before opening. Only specific activities need a license or permit from the City Clerk's Office: alcohol licenses and catering permits, mobile sales units, temporary use permits, vehicle immobilization, fireworks, pawnbroker and precious metal dealer licenses, and dog licensing. Most businesses need none of these.

   Official government source

   $0 for most businesses — no general license exists; specific activity licenses have their own fees·N/A — no general business license to apply for

   $0 for most businesses — no general license exists; specific activity licenses have their own fees

   N/A — no general business license to apply for

3. City of Meridian Building and Fire Safety Inspection

   A child care center in Meridian must pass building and fire safety inspection before it can be occupied — egress, fire suppression and alarms, ADA accessibility, and child-safety provisions. The City of Meridian's Building Services Division (not Ada County) reviews plans and inspects, with the Meridian Fire Department doing the fire review. The result is a Certificate of Occupancy, which the state child care licensing process requires. Applications go through the city's Citizen Access portal.

   Official government source

   If no construction is involved, Certificate of Occupancy issuance is $110. With tenant improvements, the building permit is $50 base plus $5.50 per $1,000 of project value, plus building plan review at 65% and fire plan review at 30% of that permit fee.·2–6 weeks, depending on plan review and how quickly corrections are turned around.

   If no construction is involved, Certificate of Occupancy issuance is $110. With tenant improvements, the building permit is $50 base plus $5.50 per $1,000 of project value, plus building plan review at 65% and fire plan review at 30% of that permit fee.

   2–6 weeks, depending on plan review and how quickly corrections are turned around.

Official Sources

• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — Child Care Facility License
• City of Meridian Development Services

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