Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in New Orleans, LA
Complete permit and license guide for starting a daycare / child care center in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana.
Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.
Federal — start here
1 stopEIN (Employer Identification Number)
Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.
Official government sourceFreeImmediate (online application)
Free
Immediate (online application)
State of Louisiana
2 stopsLouisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration
Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Louisiana. Louisiana's state sales tax rate is 4.45%. Louisiana has a complex tax structure with local parish sales taxes that can bring the total rate to 8–12%. Register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue and separately with each applicable parish.
Official government sourceFree1–5 business days (online)
Free
1–5 business days (online)
Louisiana Background Check Requirement
All staff, volunteers, and household members (for family daycares) in Louisiana child care facilities must undergo criminal background checks through the state and FBI.
Official government source$25–$75 per person1–4 weeks
$25–$75 per person
1–4 weeks
City of New Orleans / Orleans Parish
3 stopsLouisiana Department of Education — Child Care Center License
Child care centers in Louisiana must be licensed by the Louisiana Department of Education, Bureau of Family Support. Requires background checks, health and fire safety inspections, and compliance with staff-to-child ratio requirements.
Official government source$50–$150 depending on capacity6–12 weeks
$50–$150 depending on capacity
6–12 weeks
City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue / Department of Safety and Permits — Business License
New Orleans requires a City Business License (Annual Business Tax) and a Certificate of Occupancy for all businesses. The Bureau of Revenue handles business taxes; the Department of Safety and Permits handles occupancy and zoning. This license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.
Official government source$50–$500/year depending on business type and gross revenues1–3 weeks
$50–$500/year depending on business type and gross revenues
1–3 weeks
Orleans Parish / New Orleans Building and Fire Safety Inspection
Child care centers must pass building inspections for safety, ADA accessibility, fire suppression, and appropriate child-proofing standards. Conducted by local fire marshal and building department.
$100–$3002–6 weeks
$100–$300
2–6 weeks
Terminus
Open for business — est. $500–$2,000 · 8–16 weeks to obtain all licenses and pass inspections
Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?
Official Sources
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