Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Minneapolis, MN

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home daycare in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Verified 2026-09-03 5 stops $300–$800 est. 8–16 weeks
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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/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Minnesota

3 stops

  1. Minnesota Family Child Care License (Department of Children, Youth, and Families)

    A family child care license is required to care for children for compensation in your home. Licensing moved from the Department of Human Services to the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families and is now governed by Minnesota Statutes chapter 142B; county agencies issue and inspect family child care licenses on the state's behalf. Requirements include background studies for household members age 13 and older, a home inspection, pre-service training, and CPR and first aid certification.

    Official government source

    No state application or license fee is charged for family or group family child care (Minn. Stat. 142B.12, subd. 1). A county agency may charge up to $50 for a one-year license or $100 for a two-year license, and background study fees are separate.Varies by county; allow time for background studies, required pre-service training, and the home inspection

  2. Minnesota Secretary of State Business Registration

    Family child care providers who operate as a formal business entity in Minnesota must register with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Many home daycare providers operate as sole proprietors, which requires no entity registration — only a Certificate of Assumed Name if they use a trade name. An LLC can add liability protection.

    Official government source

    $155 to file LLC Articles of Organization online or in person, $135 by mail; a Certificate of Assumed Name is $50 online or in person and $30 by mail; annual renewal is freeImmediate (online or in person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

  3. Minnesota Department of Revenue - Sales Tax Registration (Only If Selling Taxable Goods)

    Child care services are not on Minnesota's list of taxable services, so a family child care provider does not need a Minnesota sales tax account for tuition or care fees. You must register for a Minnesota Tax ID only if you also make taxable retail sales or need to withhold Minnesota income tax for employees. Child care income is still reportable for income tax purposes.

    Official government source

    Free (no fee to register; registration is not required unless you make taxable sales or withhold wages)Online through e-Services (Business Tax Registration)

City of Minneapolis / Hennepin County

1 stop

  1. Minneapolis Zoning - Licensed Family Child Care Is a Permitted Residential Use

    Minnesota law makes a licensed day care facility serving 12 or fewer persons, and a licensed group family day care home serving 14 or fewer children, a permitted single-family residential use, so Minneapolis cannot require a conditional use permit or neighbour notification for one. There is no Minneapolis zoning application or fee for a licensed family child care home; contact 311 only if you want to confirm your property's zoning district. Minneapolis does not issue family day care licences at all - Hennepin County licenses family child care homes on behalf of the state.

    Official government source

    No fee - no Minneapolis zoning permit appliesN/A - no city zoning approval required

Terminus

Open for business — est. $300–$800 · 8–16 weeks

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