Childcare Center Permit

A commercial childcare or day care center, meaning any business facility that cares for and supervises children younger than 14, needs a Childcare Center Permit from the city. Centers that serve meals or snacks also need a separate Childcare Food Service Permit.

Step 1. Find Out Whether a Specific Use Permit Applies

Before opening a new center, reach the Planning Division by phone at (555) 010-8724 and ask whether your location requires a Specific Use Permit (SUP).

Step 2. Review the Permit Requirements

The department's plan review guide for its licensed childcare inspection program is available as a PDF.

Day care facilities must meet these requirements, among others:

• Hold a state child care license from the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, reachable at (555) 010-1543 or (555) 010-6665.
• Meet the state's minimum standards for day care centers, set by the Child Care Regulation Division of Human Services.
• Follow the Texas Food Establishment Rules issued by the Texas Department of Health.
• Comply with every City of Fredville zoning, building, fire and health ordinance.
• Operate outside of residential structures, which cannot be permitted as day care centers.
• Enclose outdoor play areas with a fence at least six feet tall.
• Upload a drawing or plot plan with the application that shows the lot dimensions and where existing or planned structures sit. It must be detailed enough to show outdoor play areas, fencing, and each room the facility will use, with its square footage and purpose.

For more detail, see the city's childcare (day care) facility guidelines, also available as a PDF.

Step 3. Submit Your Applications

• New centers and centers changing ownership apply online to the Building Inspections Division for a Certificate of Occupancy.
• If you are building new or remodeling, also file a Commercial Building Permit Application online with the Building Inspections Division, along with the Certificate of Occupancy.
• New centers and ownership changes must also deliver the Childcare Center (Daycare) Permit Application, a PDF form, by hand to the Health and Environment Department's office at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Fredville, TX 75999.

Questions about applying? Call (555) 010-1261 or write to [email protected].

What Happens Next

Once your application is complete, processing takes roughly 48 hours. Staff will reach out after receiving and reviewing it to explain the next steps.

Annual Permit for Licensed Childcare Centers

• Annual fee for a licensed child care center: $125.00
• Permit fee: $1.25 per child, based on state licensed capacity, with a $35.00 minimum

Food Service Permit for Childcare Centers

• Fewer than 100 children: $60.00
• 100 to 199 children: $120.00
• 200 or more children: $240.00

The food service fee depends on the center's licensed capacity. Payment is accepted only in person, at the department's City Hall office.

These amounts are separate from any fees owed for a Certificate of Occupancy, a Commercial Building Permit or a Specific Use Permit.

Paying Your Fees

Every fee on this page must be paid in person to the department.

• Office: Health and Environment, City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Fredville, TX 75999
• Phone: (555) 010-1261
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Email: [email protected]

Educational Newsletters

Past issues of Little Steps, the department's newsletter for childcare providers, are available as PDFs:

• Little Steps, 2022
• Little Steps, 2020
• Little Steps, 2018
• Little Steps, 2017
• Little Steps, 2016
• Little Steps, 2015

Running care out of your home instead? See the childcare family home permit.

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