Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Portland, ME

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source for EIN (Employer Identification Number) (opens in a new tab)

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Maine Revenue Services — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Maine. Maine charges a 5.5% state sales tax (food and lodging have different rates). Register with Maine Revenue Services online.

   Official government source for Maine Revenue Services — Sales Tax Registration (opens in a new tab)

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

2. Maine Background Check Requirement

   All staff, volunteers, and household members (for family daycares) in Maine child care facilities must undergo criminal background checks (state SBI and FBI, via IdentoGO fingerprinting) coordinated through Maine DHHS Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS). There is no cost to providers.

   Official government source for Maine Background Check Requirement (opens in a new tab)

   Free (no cost to providers)·Results mailed within 21 days of completion; renew every 5 years

   Free (no cost to providers)

   Results mailed within 21 days of completion; renew every 5 years

1. Maine Child Care Facility License (DHHS Office of Child and Family Services)

   Child care centers in Maine must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), under the Child Care Facility Licensing Rule (10-148 CMR Ch. 32). Licensing requires background checks for all staff and household members, a pre-licensing inspection, and compliance with staff-to-child ratio, space and program standards. Applications are filed through the OCFS provider portal.

   Official government source for Maine Child Care Facility License (DHHS Office of Child and Family Services) (opens in a new tab)

   $240 application fee for a full license or its biennial renewal; $120 for a provisional or temporary license (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 s.3). Nursery schools pay $10.·Full licenses run two years; allow time for the pre-licensing inspection and background checks before opening

   $240 application fee for a full license or its biennial renewal; $120 for a provisional or temporary license (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 s.3). Nursery schools pay $10.

   Full licenses run two years; allow time for the pre-licensing inspection and background checks before opening

2. City of Portland Business License (specific regulated activities only)

   Portland does not require a business licence of every business. The City's Business License Administrator (207-874-8557, bl@portlandmaine.gov) issues licences only for specific regulated categories: food service and liquor establishments, breweries and distilleries, food trucks and pushcarts, temporary events and catering, flea markets and second-hand dealers, marijuana businesses, massage therapists and establishments, taxi/livery/tour vehicles and valet parking, farmers market vendors, fire permits, scrap metal recycling and transient sellers. If your business is not in one of those categories, no City of Portland business licence is required. Where one does apply, most types need Zoning, Health, Code Enforcement, Fire, Police (SBI background check) and Treasury approvals first, and outstanding taxes or sewer fees will block issuance.

   Official government source for City of Portland Business License (specific regulated activities only) (opens in a new tab)

   $45 flat application fee (a single $45 fee even when applying for several licence types at once) and $35 a year to renew - not revenue-tiered. Sole proprietors and partnerships also file a d/b/a for $10.·Licences are annual. Allow time for the departmental approvals - zoning, health, code, fire, police background check and treasury - before the licence issues

   $45 flat application fee (a single $45 fee even when applying for several licence types at once) and $35 a year to renew - not revenue-tiered. Sole proprietors and partnerships also file a d/b/a for $10.

   Licences are annual. Allow time for the departmental approvals - zoning, health, code, fire, police background check and treasury - before the licence issues

3. City of Portland Building and Fire Safety Inspection

   Child care centers in Portland must pass City of Portland Permitting & Inspections review for building code and life-safety compliance and receive a Certificate of Occupancy before opening. Separately, Maine's Child Care Facility Licensing Rule (10-148 CMR Ch. 32) requires the premises to pass a Life Safety Code inspection by the Department of Public Safety, Office of the State Fire Marshal, which specifies which rooms and floors may be used for child care and must be repeated at least every two years; a facility for 13 or more children also needs a State Fire Marshal construction permit. Cumberland County has no building or fire inspection role.

   Official government source for City of Portland Building and Fire Safety Inspection (opens in a new tab)

   $100 Certificate of Occupancy inspection; building permit fees are cost-of-work based - $25 for the first $1,000 of work plus $15 per additional $1,000 (City of Portland Building Permits and Inspections Fee Schedule)·Fire Marshal approval must be in hand before OCFS issues the license; schedule the City's Certificate of Occupancy inspection when work is complete

   $100 Certificate of Occupancy inspection; building permit fees are cost-of-work based - $25 for the first $1,000 of work plus $15 per additional $1,000 (City of Portland Building Permits and Inspections Fee Schedule)

   Fire Marshal approval must be in hand before OCFS issues the license; schedule the City's Certificate of Occupancy inspection when work is complete

Official Sources

• Maine Child Care Licensing — Child Care Center License
• City of Portland City Clerk / Licensing Division

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