Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Salt Lake City, UT

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. Utah State Tax Commission — Sales Tax License

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Utah. Utah charges a 4.85% state sales tax; local jurisdictions add additional taxes bringing totals to 6–9%. Register with the Utah State Tax Commission online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via Taxpayer Access Point)

   Free

   Immediate (online via Taxpayer Access Point)

2. Utah Background Check Requirement

   All covered individuals in a Utah child care program — owners, directors, caregivers, staff, volunteers, and household members age 12 and older for home-based programs — must clear a background check through the Utah DHHS Office of Background Processing before involvement with the program, including fingerprint-based state (BCI) and FBI checks for covered adults.

   Official government source

   Approximately $15 fingerprint processing fee per person; additional processing fees may apply — verify current fees with DHHS Licensing and Background Checks·1–4 weeks

   Approximately $15 fingerprint processing fee per person; additional processing fees may apply — verify current fees with DHHS Licensing and Background Checks

   1–4 weeks

1. Utah DHHS Child Care Licensing (Division of Licensing and Background Checks) — Child Care License

   Child care centers in Utah are licensed by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Background Checks (Child Care Licensing) — not the 'Office of Child Care,' which is the Department of Workforce Services office that administers child care subsidies. Licensing requires background checks for all covered individuals, health and safety inspections, and compliance with staff-to-child ratio and other rules.

   Official government source

   $62 license/certificate fee (new and renewal, as of July 1, 2025); new centers also pay a one-time $200 new-center fee plus $1.75 per child of licensed capacity·6–12 weeks

   $62 license/certificate fee (new and renewal, as of July 1, 2025); new centers also pay a one-time $200 new-center fee plus $1.75 per child of licensed capacity

   6–12 weeks

2. Salt Lake City Business License Division — Business License

   Salt Lake City requires a business license for businesses operating within city limits (SLC Code Title 5). Apply through the Business Licensing Division; licenses renew annually and must be displayed. Exception: under Utah Code 10-1-203.5, a no-impact home-based business (one whose combined off-site impact does not materially exceed that of the residence alone) cannot be required to obtain a city license or pay a license fee.

   Official government source

   Base license fee plus per-employee/regulatory fees per the Salt Lake City Consolidated Fee Schedule (fees are not published as a flat range; confirm current amounts at slc.gov or 801-535-6644)·1–3 weeks

   Base license fee plus per-employee/regulatory fees per the Salt Lake City Consolidated Fee Schedule (fees are not published as a flat range; confirm current amounts at slc.gov or 801-535-6644)

   1–3 weeks

3. Salt Lake County / Salt Lake City Building and Fire Safety Inspection

   Child care centers must pass building and fire-safety inspections as part of state child care licensing - inside Salt Lake City these are handled by Salt Lake City Building Services and the SLC Fire Prevention Bureau (not the county). Expect checks of egress, fire suppression/alarms, and occupancy limits.

   Official government source

   Varies - inspection/permit fees per the SLC Consolidated Fee Schedule; confirm with SLC Building Services·2–6 weeks

   Varies - inspection/permit fees per the SLC Consolidated Fee Schedule; confirm with SLC Building Services

   2–6 weeks

Official Sources

• Utah Office of Child Care — Child Care Facility License
• Salt Lake City Business License Division

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