Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in South Burlington, VT

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. Vermont Department of Taxes — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Vermont. Vermont charges a 6% state sales tax; meals and lodging are taxed at 9%. Register with the Vermont Department of Taxes online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via myVTax)

   Free

   Immediate (online via myVTax)

2. Vermont Child Care Record Check Requirement

   All staff, volunteers, and — for family child care homes — household members at Vermont child care programs must clear background record checks. The licensee submits a Records Check Authorization form to the Child Development Division, which issues a Fingerprint Authorization Certificate; the individual is then fingerprinted at a location the Division designates, and results go to the Division. The check covers Vermont criminal, child protection and adult protection registries plus an FBI fingerprint-based check, and must be repeated at least once every five years.

   Official government source

   The Child Development Division's licensing regulations set no record-check fee; confirm any current fingerprinting charge with the Child Care Licensing line at 1-800-649-2642, option 3.·Varies; the Division is building a digital background check system targeting a five-day turnaround for most individuals.

   The Child Development Division's licensing regulations set no record-check fee; confirm any current fingerprinting charge with the Child Care Licensing line at 1-800-649-2642, option 3.

   Varies; the Division is building a digital background check system targeting a five-day turnaround for most individuals.

1. Vermont Child Development Division — Child Care Licence

   Child care centers in Vermont must be licensed by the Child Development Division of the Department for Children and Families. The Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs require a separate application for each site, records check authorizations (and fingerprinting where required) for all staff at least every five years, evidence of continuous insurance, compliance with fire, health, building and lead-law requirements, and staff-to-child ratio and professional development standards. The Division inspects each licensed program at least once every 365 days.

   Official government source

   $0 — the Child Development Division's licensing regulations set no application or licence fee. Separate costs apply for staff record checks and fingerprinting, fire-safety and health inspections, and bringing the facility into compliance.·The regulations require only a “timely decision” after a complete application; no processing time is published. Call the Child Care Licensing line at 1-800-649-2642, option 3.

   $0 — the Child Development Division's licensing regulations set no application or licence fee. Separate costs apply for staff record checks and fingerprinting, fire-safety and health inspections, and bringing the facility into compliance.

   The regulations require only a “timely decision” after a complete application; no processing time is published. Call the Child Care Licensing line at 1-800-649-2642, option 3.

2. South Burlington Business Licence (does not exist)

   South Burlington issues no general business licence, business tax certificate, or occupational licence, and none must be renewed annually or displayed. The City's full list of permits, licences and registrations covers only specific categories: liquor licences (issued by the state with City approval), road-closure and public-event approvals and Entertainment Permits through the City Clerk, peddler permits, security alarm registration, pet licences, and the residential rental registry. Zoning permits and Certificates of Occupancy are handled separately by Planning & Zoning, and construction, electrical and kitchen-hood permits by the Fire Department.

   Official government source

   $0 — no general business licence exists·N/A — there is no application to file

   $0 — no general business licence exists

   N/A — there is no application to file

3. City of South Burlington Building and Fire Safety Inspection

   Child care centres must satisfy fire safety, egress, ADA accessibility, and building-code requirements before the Vermont Department for Children and Families will license them — DCF's Center-Based Child Care and Preschool Program regulations (2.3.8.6 and 5.10.1.2) require the licensee to meet all applicable Vermont Division of Fire Safety requirements and the ADA. In South Burlington the inspection is done by the City's Fire Department, which enforces the same codes as the state Division of Fire Safety under a municipal inspection agreement. Chittenden County has no role — Vermont counties operate no building or fire departments.

   Official government source

   Construction and fire-safety permit fees are set by the South Burlington Fire Department; a zoning Certificate of Occupancy for a change of use is $153 ($140 application + $13)·Apply through South Burlington's permit portal before opening; DCF will not issue a child care licence until fire-safety requirements are met.

   Construction and fire-safety permit fees are set by the South Burlington Fire Department; a zoning Certificate of Occupancy for a change of use is $153 ($140 application + $13)

   Apply through South Burlington's permit portal before opening; DCF will not issue a child care licence until fire-safety requirements are met.

Official Sources

• Vermont Child Development Division — Child Care License
• City of South Burlington City Clerk

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