Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Gulfport, MS

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. Mississippi Department of Revenue - Sales Tax Permit

   Any business selling tangible personal property or a taxable service in Mississippi must hold a sales tax permit from the Department of Revenue. The general state rate is 7%, one of the highest in the country; reduced rates apply to some categories, including 5% on SNAP-eligible groceries and light vehicles, 3% on heavy trucks and manufactured homes, and 1.5% on farm and manufacturing machinery. Register online through TAP.

   Official government source

   No fee - the Mississippi Department of Revenue does not charge for a sales tax permit.·Register online through TAP; allow about two weeks to receive your permit and filing information by mail.

   No fee - the Mississippi Department of Revenue does not charge for a sales tax permit.

   Register online through TAP; allow about two weeks to receive your permit and filing information by mail.

2. Mississippi Criminal History Background Check (child care staff)

   Every staff member and volunteer at a licensed Mississippi child care facility must clear a criminal history record check before working with children. The facility arranges it: LiveScan fingerprinting at a county health department (or a mailed fingerprint card where LiveScan is unavailable), a Mississippi Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check, a sex offender registry check, and an FBI check, all processed by MSDH. Anyone who lived outside Mississippi within the last five years must also file an Out of State Fingerprint Check Affidavit.

   Official government source

   $50.00 per applicant to process the background check, paid online, plus a $25 fee payable to the local health department at the time of fingerprinting. Replacement background check reports cost $15 and extra suitability letters $10.·Not published by MSDH; results are emailed to the provider and applicant once the fingerprints arrive and the registry and FBI checks are complete - confirm current turnaround at 601-364-1102.

   $50.00 per applicant to process the background check, paid online, plus a $25 fee payable to the local health department at the time of fingerprinting. Replacement background check reports cost $15 and extra suitability letters $10.

   Not published by MSDH; results are emailed to the provider and applicant once the fingerprints arrive and the registry and FBI checks are complete - confirm current turnaround at 601-364-1102.

1. Mississippi State Department of Health — Child Care Facility License

   A license from the MSDH Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch is required for any facility caring for six or more children under 13 years of age who are not related to the caregiver. Licensure requires criminal background checks on staff, fire-safety and health/sanitation inspections, and compliance with staff-to-child ratios.

   Official government source

   Not published by MSDH. An application fee is charged and must be paid before licensing proceeds — confirm the current amount with the Child Care Licensure Office (601-364-2827).·Up to 90 days to obtain a license once the application is submitted and the application fee is paid.

   Not published by MSDH. An application fee is charged and must be paid before licensing proceeds — confirm the current amount with the Child Care Licensure Office (601-364-2827).

   Up to 90 days to obtain a license once the application is submitted and the application fee is paid.

2. City of Gulfport Privilege License (Business License)

   Gulfport requires a Privilege License for businesses operating within city limits. It is issued by Urban Development / Building Code Services, not the City Clerk, and the Planning Division signs off on the Certificate of Zoning Compliance that forms part of the application. The fee is computed from business type plus number of full-time employees (service businesses) or inventory value (sales businesses) — not gross revenues. The license is renewed annually and displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source

   Not a flat published rate: the Privilege License application computes the amount due from the business type together with the number of full-time employees (service businesses) or the value of inventory (sales businesses). Confirm the exact amount with Building Code Services (228-868-5700).·Not published by the City; note that staff approval of the application expires after 60 days if the license is not issued. Confirm current turnaround with Building Code Services.

   Not a flat published rate: the Privilege License application computes the amount due from the business type together with the number of full-time employees (service businesses) or the value of inventory (sales businesses). Confirm the exact amount with Building Code Services (228-868-5700).

   Not published by the City; note that staff approval of the application expires after 60 days if the license is not issued. Confirm current turnaround with Building Code Services.

3. City of Gulfport Building and Fire Safety Inspection for Child Care

   A child care center in Gulfport must pass city building and fire-safety inspections - exits, fire suppression, accessibility, and general child-safety standards - through Urban Development's Building Code Services before occupying the space. This is separate from, and in addition to, the child care facility license issued by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

   Official government source

   Gulfport charges no flat inspection-only fee; construction or alteration work is permitted under the City's published schedule, which starts at a $30.00 base permit fee plus a valuation-based amount ($24.00 for valuation up to $1,001, rising $4.00 for each additional $1,000).·Not published by the City; Building Code Services schedules inspections after a permit is issued (228-868-5700).

   Gulfport charges no flat inspection-only fee; construction or alteration work is permitted under the City's published schedule, which starts at a $30.00 base permit fee plus a valuation-based amount ($24.00 for valuation up to $1,001, rising $4.00 for each additional $1,000).

   Not published by the City; Building Code Services schedules inspections after a permit is issued (228-868-5700).

Official Sources

• Mississippi State Department of Health — Child Care Facility License
• City of Gulfport City Clerk

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