Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Madison, WI

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. Wisconsin Department of Revenue - Seller's Permit

   Required of every individual, partnership, corporation or other organization with a Wisconsin sales location making retail sales of taxable products or taxable services, with limited exceptions for wholesalers, manufacturers and certain marketplace sellers. The permit is issued through Business Tax Registration, which also covers withholding and use tax accounts. Rates: 5% state; seventy counties add 0.5%; Milwaukee County is 0.9% and the City of Milwaukee adds 2%, both effective January 1, 2024, so the rate inside Milwaukee is 7.9% - the only Wisconsin city with a municipal sales tax.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration fee, then $10 to renew every two years - it is not free. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit. DOR can additionally require a security deposit of up to $15,000 in some cases, returned after 24 consecutive months of compliance.·Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration fee, then $10 to renew every two years - it is not free. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit. DOR can additionally require a security deposit of up to $15,000 in some cases, returned after 24 consecutive months of compliance.

   Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

2. Wisconsin Background Check Requirement

   All staff, volunteers and, for family child care, household members age 10 and over in Wisconsin child care settings must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check through the state and the FBI. Fingerprints are scheduled and captured through Fieldprint Wisconsin. Under the Caregiver Background Law (Wis. Stat. 48.686), new fingerprints are required every five years for everyone working or residing in a child care.

   Official government source

   DCF publishes no fee - fingerprinting is scheduled and paid through Fieldprint Wisconsin, which sets the price. Check fieldprintwisconsin.com when you book the appointment.·Not published by DCF. Fingerprints must be renewed every five years after the initial fingerprint for everyone working or residing in a child care (Wis. Stat. 48.686).

   DCF publishes no fee - fingerprinting is scheduled and paid through Fieldprint Wisconsin, which sets the price. Check fieldprintwisconsin.com when you book the appointment.

   Not published by DCF. Fingerprints must be renewed every five years after the initial fingerprint for everyone working or residing in a child care (Wis. Stat. 48.686).

1. Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Child Care Center License

   Child care centers in Wisconsin must be licensed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Licensing requires fingerprint-based background checks, a building inspection, compliance with staff-to-child ratios and health and safety training. Licenses run two years; a new center is first issued a six-month probationary license.

   Official government source

   Wisconsin DCF licensing fees are set by formula, not a flat amount. Family child care (4-8 children): $15.12 initial six-month probationary fee, then $60.50 per two-year license. Group child care (9 or more children): $45.68 non-refundable initial fee, then $30.25 base plus $16.94 per child of licensed capacity per two-year license.·Not published by DCF - licensing follows orientation, application, background checks and a pre-licensing inspection. Confirm current processing times with your DCF regional licensing office.

   Wisconsin DCF licensing fees are set by formula, not a flat amount. Family child care (4-8 children): $15.12 initial six-month probationary fee, then $60.50 per two-year license. Group child care (9 or more children): $45.68 non-refundable initial fee, then $30.25 base plus $16.94 per child of licensed capacity per two-year license.

   Not published by DCF - licensing follows orientation, application, background checks and a pre-licensing inspection. Confirm current processing times with your DCF regional licensing office.

2. City of Madison - No General Business License

   The City of Madison does not have a general/generic business license. Per the city's own guidance: "The City of Madison does not have a generic business license. Most licenses issued by the Clerk's Office are for things that need to be inspected" (e.g. restaurants, pools, hotels). There is no general or blanket business license and no annual renewal or display requirement for most business types. The Clerk's Office licenses only specific regulated activities - alcohol, tobacco and vaping, adult entertainment, secondhand dealers, transportation and tattooing among them. A Certificate of Occupancy from the Building Inspection Division is still required for a commercial space.

   Official government source

   $0 - Madison has no general or blanket business license. Fees apply only to the specific regulated activities the Clerk's Office licenses. If you are taking a commercial space, the Certificate of Occupancy is $10.00 first certificate, $150.00 each additional, or $75.00 for a zoning change of use or occupancy (City of Madison Building Inspection fee schedule).·Not applicable - there is no general city license to apply for.

   $0 - Madison has no general or blanket business license. Fees apply only to the specific regulated activities the Clerk's Office licenses. If you are taking a commercial space, the Certificate of Occupancy is $10.00 first certificate, $150.00 each additional, or $75.00 for a zoning change of use or occupancy (City of Madison Building Inspection fee schedule).

   Not applicable - there is no general city license to apply for.

3. City of Madison - Building and Fire Safety Inspection (child care)

   A child care center in Madison must pass building and fire safety inspections. Building permits and inspections are issued by the City of Madison Building Inspection Division; fire code inspection and licensing are handled by the Madison Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division. Wisconsin DCF's child care licensing packet separately requires a Building Inspection Report form. Dane County does not inspect buildings inside the City of Madison.

   Official government source

   City of Madison alteration/repair permit $11.00 per $1,000 of value ($25.00 minimum); Certificate of Occupancy $10.00 first certificate, $150.00 each additional, or $75.00 for a zoning change of use or occupancy. Most Madison Fire Department licenses are $125 each.·Building inspection lead times are not published; Madison Fire Department licenses and permits must be applied for at least 30 days in advance.

   City of Madison alteration/repair permit $11.00 per $1,000 of value ($25.00 minimum); Certificate of Occupancy $10.00 first certificate, $150.00 each additional, or $75.00 for a zoning change of use or occupancy. Most Madison Fire Department licenses are $125 each.

   Building inspection lead times are not published; Madison Fire Department licenses and permits must be applied for at least 30 days in advance.

Official Sources

• Wisconsin Department of Children and Families — Child Care Center License
• City of Madison Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development

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