Fort Lauderdale, FL Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Home day care, up to 5 preschool children
- $55.13 yearly business tax
- Over 5 and up to 25 children
- $110.25 yearly business tax
- Over 25 and up to 50 children
- $165.38 yearly business tax
- 51 or more children, or on-site employer day care
- $220.50 yearly business tax
- Renewal due
- September 30; 10 percent penalty in October
- Distance from adult gaming or pain clinic
- 500 feet minimum from any daycare facility
- Receipt scope
- One location and one classification
Summary
A child care center in Fort Lauderdale needs a valid Certificate of Use for its exact address before the city's business tax division issues a business tax receipt. The yearly receipt costs $55.13 for a home day care of up to 5 preschool children, $110.25 for up to 25 children, $165.38 for up to 50, and $220.50 for 51 or more or an on-site employer-sponsored center.
As a prerequisite to paying the business tax, each business entity shall definitely state and set out the exact location at which such business shall be operated. Before initially issuing a business tax receipt it shall be the duty of the business tax division to ascertain through the development services department that the use proposed is permitted at the location proposed and that a valid Certificate of Use has been issued for the specific location and for the type of business activity proposed in the business tax receipt application. Failure to maintain such compliance will be cause for withdrawal of the business tax receipt. [...] CHILD CARE CENTERS: Family day care facility or home day care facility, up to 5 preschool children $55.13 CHILD CARE CENTERS: Small childcare facility, over 5 and up to 25 children $110.25 CHILD CARE CENTERS: Intermediate childcare facility, over 25 and up to 50 children $165.38 CHILD CARE CENTERS: Large childcare facility, 51 or more children $220.50 CHILD CARE CENTERS: On-site corporate/employer sponsored day care $220.50
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67 Update 1 | Unified Land Development Code: Supplement 58 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Fort Lauderdale prices and gates child care through the business tax receipt system in Chapter 15 of its Code of Ordinances. Section 15-57 sorts centers into five classifications by headcount: a family or home day care facility with up to 5 preschool children pays $55.13, a small facility with over 5 and up to 25 children pays $110.25, an intermediate facility with over 25 and up to 50 children pays $165.38, a large facility with 51 or more children pays $220.50, and an on-site corporate or employer sponsored day care pays $220.50. A receipt covers only one location and only one classification unless the code permits otherwise, and under section 15-33 the tax is a yearly privilege.
Section 15-40 makes zoning approval a condition of the receipt. Every applicant states the exact location of the business. Before the first receipt issues, the business tax division confirms through the development services department that the use is permitted at that address and that a valid Certificate of Use covers that location and that type of activity. Losing that compliance is cause for withdrawal of the receipt, and no business operates in a premises with building code or ordinance violations, receipt or not.
The Certificate of Use article (sections 15-299 through 15-310) took effect July 2, 2026 under Ordinance C-26-32. The Zoning Administrator issues the certificate on an application filed with the Development Services Department. The application lists the owners, the address, the legal description, proof of ownership or legal possession, a detailed description of the business activity, and a drawing and site layout. A non-refundable fee set by City Commission resolution is due at filing, and no certificate issues until required parking for the location is confirmed. The certificate ends on a change of ownership, location or use, or on a land development violation, and it is not transferable. A business holding a valid receipt before July 2, 2026 is exempt until it moves, substantially changes its activity, or is found to be a prohibited use. The article is repealed on June 30, 2027 unless the City Commission reenacts it.
Distance rules also protect child care sites: no adult gaming center (section 15-157) and no pain management clinic (section 15-254) can locate within 500 feet of a daycare facility.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a required receipt carries a penalty of 25 percent of the tax due, on top of any other penalty. A receipt not renewed by September 30 is delinquent: 10 percent for October and 5 percent for each later month, capped at 25 percent of the tax. After 150 days from the initial notice, the city can sue for the tax, court costs, attorneys' fees and a $250.00 penalty. Business closure and Certificate of Use revocation are also available, enforced through Chapter 11 Code Enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the business tax receipt for a child care center in Fort Lauderdale?
Do I need a Certificate of Use before the city issues my receipt?
When is the receipt due and what does a late renewal cost?
Can an adult gaming center or pain clinic open next door to a daycare?
Does my existing center need a new Certificate of Use after July 2, 2026?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Lauderdale
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