Starting or expanding a Commercial Certified Child Care Business

This page provides information about establishing a child care business in a commercial building, including churches, community centers and other non-residential settings. If you are planning to set up a child care business in a private home, please visit this web page.

Step 1: Talk to your state Child Care Licensing Specialist

Identify your child care type and learn next steps to start your child care business. Contact the State of Oregon by email at occ.customerservice@delc.oregon.gov or by phone at 800-556-6616.

Step 2: Research property information

• Before renting, leasing, or buying a property, research the address in Portland Maps. Once the property is identified, select Permits & Zoning, then Zoning & Districts. Limited building permit history is also available on Portland Maps.
• You can request copies of historic building permits and land use decisions through a formal public records request.
• Schedule a free 15-minute appointment with a city planner:
  • Ask a city planner if your business will be: 1) outright allowed, 2) a limited use, 3) a conditional use, or 4) prohibited on the property.
  • If the business is a limited use, ask the city planner what information should be included on the building permit plan set.
  • If the business is a conditional use, ask the city planner how to apply for a Conditional Use permit, the timing to process the request, and the cost for the request. Please note that if a Conditional Use approval is required, this must be obtained prior to applying for a building permit.
  • Also ask the city planner if a land use approval is required for the installation of a sign.
  • Sometimes when a building permit is required, site upgrades will be required if the permit value meets the threshold established in Portland City Code Chapter 33.258.070.
• Schedule a free 15-minute appointment with a commercial building code reviewer. Ask the commercial building code reviewer if the building has existing child care use and whether you will need a building permit for the child care use.
• Visit this page to learn how to apply for a sign permit. There are also registration requirements for A-board or portable signs.

Step 3: Research start-up costs

Please read the Change of Use or Occupancy Brochure, which describes some of the largest project costs to consider when starting a business.

Systems Development Charges

• Review information on System Development Charges and whether your project may incur them.
• Please call Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Water Bureau, Portland Parks, Portland Bureau of Environmental Services to describe your project. Ask if Systems Development Charges will be added to the building permit fees for your project and what the approximate cost will be. 

Fire System Requirements

• Please contact Portland Fire and Rescue to find out if your project will need fire sprinklers or fire alarms. 
• Schedule a free 15-minute appointment with a Fire Safety Expert.

Seismic Retrofit Requirements

A change in a building’s occupancy to allow for a child care business could require seismic upgrades to the building. The architect hired to assist with any upgrades should consult the City of Portland’s requirements for seismic upgrades. Please review information about seismic design standards for existing buildings. If you have further questions, please schedule a free 15-minute appointment with a Structural Engineer.

Abatement of Asbestos and Lead

Construction activity can release asbestos, which can be found in various building materials, as well as dust from lead-based paint. Learn more about ways to deal with lead paint and asbestos safely.

Multnomah County Health Department

If planning a kitchen, please contact the Multnomah County Health Department to learn equipment requirements. NOTE: A residential stove and oven is allowed in churches and schools.

Step 4: Obtain building and trade permits

• Learn how to apply for a commercial building permit for either new construction or a tenant improvement.
• Your project may need electrical, plumbing or mechanical upgrades, which will require the applicable trade permits. Learn more about trade permits.
• Only contractors licensed by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) may work on commercial buildings. Learn more about finding a reliable CCB-licensed contractor.
• You can apply and pay for permits online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about how to apply and pay for permits.

Step 5: Obtain a City Business License

Find out how to register your business with the City of Portland and learn about business taxes.

Step 6: Obtain State Child Care License

If your state Child Care Licensing Specialist requires a completed Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) form for the proposed Daycare Use as part of the state application packet, please be aware a city planner will be required to complete section 2 of the LUCS form. This LUCS form should be provided by your Child Care Licensing Specialist. Please visit this web page to learn about the City’s LUCS form submittal process so the planning review can be completed by the city planner. You will be required to submit a completed application, the LUCS form with Section 1 completed, and pay the review fee prior to a planner completing the review. These reviews take 3-4 weeks once the fee is paid.

Additional resources

• Contact the Small Business Empowerment Program to learn whether you qualify for permit assistance. This program assists Black, Indigenous, People of Color business owners and business owners with disabilities recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act who have experienced barriers in the review process.
• Contact the Inclusive Business Resource Network (IBRN). The program funds 20+ non-profit partners to provide free business advising to Portland small businesses. Many partners support child care businesses (both brick and mortar and in-home). Once clients are enrolled in programming via IBRN, they can access additional professional services at low or no cost via a referral program. This includes legal advising, HR consulting, digital marketing coaching, accounting, and bookkeeping advising.
• The Portland Small Business Hub offers free one-on-one, culturally specific resource navigation for local small business owners. It is a collaboration between Prosper Portland and local community partners. Its business advisors help businesses connect to resources such as financial and technical assistance, marketing, and legal support.

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