Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Silver Spring, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a daycare / child care center in Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland.

Verified 2026-08-28 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 Silver Spring / Montgomery County

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

    No application fee ($0); license renewed every 2 years at no cost6–12 weeks

  2. Montgomery County — No General Business License (activity-specific licenses only)

    Silver Spring is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, so all local permits come from the county. Neither Maryland nor Montgomery County requires a general business license. Only specific activities are licensed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court License Department — e.g., retail sales require a Trader's License; garages, vending machines, and construction have their own licenses. Most service businesses need no county business license; confirm any activity-specific license with the Clerk's License Department (licenses expire April 30 annually).

    Official government source

    $0 for most businesses; Trader's License (retail only) fee varies by inventory valueNot applicable for most businesses; Trader's License typically issued within days

  3. Montgomery County / Silver Spring Building and Fire Safety Inspection

    Child care centers in Silver Spring must pass building and fire-safety inspections as part of Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services use-and-occupancy approval (zoning, fire, building, mechanical, and electrical reviews) and MSDE child care licensing. Confirm inspection scheduling and any fees with DPS (311 in the county).

    Official government source

    Inspection/permit fees vary; confirm with Montgomery County DPS2–6 weeks

Terminus

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

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