Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Virginia Beach, VA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Virginia Department of Education — Home-Based Child Care (Family Day Home) License or Registration

   The Virginia Department of Education's Division of Early Childhood Care and Education regulates home-based child care (formerly called family day homes), having taken over child care licensing from the Department of Social Services in 2021. Whether you need a license or a registration depends on the number of children in your care. Requirements include background checks for all household members, a home safety inspection, required training hours, current CPR and First Aid certification, and compliance with health and safety standards. Confirm current child-count thresholds with VDOE.

   Official government source

   Application fees are set by Board of Education regulation and graduated by licensed capacity (Code of Virginia §22.1-289.010); background check and fingerprinting fees apply separately — confirm current amounts with VDOE Child Care Licensing·8–16 weeks

   Application fees are set by Board of Education regulation and graduated by licensed capacity (Code of Virginia §22.1-289.010); background check and fingerprinting fees apply separately — confirm current amounts with VDOE Child Care Licensing

   8–16 weeks

2. Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) Business Registration

   Family day home providers who operate as a formal business entity in Virginia must register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Many home daycare providers operate as sole proprietors, which does not require SCC registration. An LLC provides additional liability protection.

   Official government source

   $100 (LLC filing fee, if applicable)·1–2 weeks

   $100 (LLC filing fee, if applicable)

   1–2 weeks

3. Virginia Department of Taxation Business Tax Registration

   Income from family day home services in Virginia is taxable. Child care providers must register with the Virginia Department of Taxation for income tax purposes. Child care services are generally exempt from Virginia sales tax.

   Official government source

   Free·1 week

   Free

   1 week

1. Virginia Beach Zoning — Use Permit for Home-Based Child Care

   Under Code of Virginia §15.2-2292, home-based child care serving one to four children (excluding the provider's own) must be treated as ordinary residential occupancy and cannot be subjected to extra conditions. For five to twelve children, Virginia Beach may require zoning approval — through an administrative zoning permit process or a Conditional Use Permit — with mailed notice to adjacent property owners. A Conditional Use Permit goes to the Planning Commission and City Council and involves a public hearing. Contact Virginia Beach Planning & Community Development to confirm which process applies to your capacity.

   Official government source

   $1,090 (standard Conditional Use Permit fee); no fee if your capacity qualifies as by-right residential occupancy·4–12+ weeks if a Conditional Use Permit is required (includes public notice period)

   $1,090 (standard Conditional Use Permit fee); no fee if your capacity qualifies as by-right residential occupancy

   4–12+ weeks if a Conditional Use Permit is required (includes public notice period)

Official Sources

• Virginia Department of Social Services — Family Day Home Licensing
• Virginia Beach Department of Planning — Permits & Inspections
• Virginia State Corporation Commission — Business Registration

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