Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Baltimore, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a daycare / child care center in Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland.

Verified 2026-08-19 6 stops $500–$2,000 est. 8–16 weeks to obtain all licenses and pass inspections
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Maryland

2 stops

  1. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via bFile)

  2. Maryland Background Check Requirement

    All staff, volunteers, and household members (for family daycares) in Maryland child care facilities must undergo criminal background checks through the state and FBI.

    Official government source

    $25–$75 per person1–4 weeks

City of Baltimore / Baltimore City

3 stops

  1. Maryland State Department of Education — Child Care Center License

    Child care centers in Maryland must be licensed by the Office of Child Care (OCC) within the Maryland State Department of Education. Includes facility inspection and background checks for all staff.

    Official government source

    Unverified - confirm application fee with the MSDE Office of Child Care regional licensing office6–12 weeks

  2. Baltimore City Department of Finance — Business License

    Baltimore City does not issue a generic business license for all businesses. Maryland business licensing runs through the state court system: businesses that sell goods need a traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (fee based on average commercial inventory, $20-$2,125/year in Baltimore City per Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807). Most pure service businesses need no traders license. Baltimore City's Department of Finance issues only specific license types (e.g., late-night commercial operations, going-out-of-business sales), and location-based businesses need a DHCD use & occupancy permit.

    Official government source

    Most service businesses: no general license fee. Businesses selling goods: traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, $20-$2,125/year based on average commercial inventory (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807).1–3 weeks

  3. Baltimore City / Baltimore 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.

    Official government source

    Varies (unverified)2–6 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $500–$2,000 · 8–16 weeks to obtain all licenses and pass inspections

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Official Sources

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