Group and Commercial Child Care Centers

A Commercial Child Care Center is a program for 13 or more children, not related to the business owner, located in a commercially zoned property.

A Commercial Group child care facility in which 7 – 12 children who are not related to the operator receive child care.

Commercial Child Care includes day care, after school care, and adult care programs.

Some of the City requirements are different than the state requirements. If you comply with the City requirements, which are the most stringent, you will be able to pass the City licensing process.

Required

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How to open a Commercial Child Care Business

Obtain a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

Every individual, partnership, association and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return in whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year. Rental activities are usually considered business activities.

Obtain a Commercial Activity License

An Activity License is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia. This includes businesses that are located outside the city limits but do some or all of their business activity in the City.

Child Care Facility License

The City of Philadelphia regulates childcare facilities for zoning, building, health and fire code compliance. If you are planning to operate such a facility, you will need to know what type of child care/use group you intend to apply for in order to fill out the appropriate documentation.

Food Preparing and Serving License

This license is required of anyone operating a food establishment where food is prepared or served for public consumption. This includes restaurants, delis, caterers, bars, grocery stores making sandwiches and serving beverages, Child care facilities, etc.

Zoning and Use

The Philadelphia Zoning Code regulates development within the city. Zoning regulations govern land use, the height and size of buildings, population density, parking requirements, signage placement and the character of development on private property, and property uses.

Building Permits

Building permits are required before beginning projects to enlarge, repair, change, add to or demolish a structure, and to install equipment or systems in a structure.

Business Tax Basics

The Department of Revenue imposes various taxes that must be filed and paid by businesses that are operated and/or located in Philadelphia.

Documents You May Need

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Dumpster License

Dumpsters in the public right of way require an annual, renewable license from the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Handbill Distribution License

This license is required for any distributor, distribution business, or person, who distributes commercial handbills on sidewalks, in public places, or door-to-door.

Cooking Extinguishing Systems

To obtain a Cooking Extinguishing System Permit, gather the materials listed below and submit a completed permit application in-person at the Municipal Services Building (MSB) Concourse at 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

Certificate of Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy is required as a condition of a change in the use and occupancy of a space in accordance with the International Building Code. Certificates of Occupancy are also required for all new construction and building additions.

Signage

To obtain permission to install a sign on your business, gather the materials listed below and submit a completed permit application in-person at the Municipal Services Building (MSB) Concourse.