Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Seattle, WA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home daycare in Seattle, King County, Washington.

$400 -- $900 3–6 months (DCYF licensing process dominates timeline) 6 requirements

Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Last verified: .

Seattle / King County Requirements

2 requirements
1

Seattle Business License Tax Certificate

Required for home-based businesses operating in Seattle, including licensed home daycares. Issued by City of Seattle Finance and Administrative Services.

$110/year1–2 weeks
Official government source
2

Seattle Home Occupation Permit

Required to operate a daycare business from a residential property in Seattle. Issued by SDCI. Home daycares must comply with restrictions on signage, the number of non-resident employees, and customer traffic. Fire inspection may be required.

$100–$2502–4 weeks
Official government source

Washington State Requirements

3 requirements
1

Washington State Business License

Required for all businesses in Washington. Issued by the Department of Revenue.

$19/year1–2 weeks
Official government source
2

DCYF Family Home License

Required for family home daycares caring for 2–12 children in Washington State. Issued by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). The process includes a home safety inspection, background checks (fingerprinting) for all household members age 16+, first aid/CPR training, completion of pre-service training, and an on-site visit. The license is free but the process is lengthy.

$0 (license fee waived) + background check fees (~$60–$100/person)3–6 months
Official government source
3

Background Check (DCYF)

All adults (18+) residing in the home and any employees must pass a background check through DCYF's background check unit. Includes a state criminal history check and FBI fingerprint check.

$60–$100 per person2–8 weeks
Official government source

Federal Requirements

1 requirement
1

EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

FreeImmediate (online application)
Official government source

Official Sources

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