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Huntsville, AL Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Sec. 15-85(76), License schedule
Base tax
$65 up to $24,999 gross receipts
Rate above threshold
$1.00 per $1,000 over $25,000
Small-provider exemption
6 or fewer children enrolled
Nonprofit exemption
Govt-run or 501(c)(3) schools exempt

Summary

Huntsville requires a business license for any school, nursery, or day care operation, with tax based on gross receipts and a small-provider exemption.

Schools. Each person engaged in the business of conducting a school, college, kindergarten, nursery, day care, teaching classes in any manner or conducting seminars shall pay a license tax based on annual gross receipts as follows: $0.00 to $24,999.00 .....$65.00

$25,000.00 and over .....65.00

Plus, per $1,000.00 in excess of $25,000.00 .....1.00

Any person conducting a kindergarten, nursery or day care facility enrolling six or less children shall be exempt from this license tax.

This license tax shall not apply to schools operated by the state, county, city or churches, or other nonprofit organizations who hold a certificate issued by the Internal Revenue Service under Internal Revenue Code, section 501(a), as an organization described in section 501(c)(3).

(77)Service. Each person engaged in the business of performing any service not regarded as a profession or vocation shall pay a license tax based on annual gross receipts as follows: $0.00 to $4,999.00 .....$35.00

$5,000.00 to $9,999.00 .....65.00

$10,000.00 to $24,999.00 .....95.00

$25,000.00 and over .....95.00

Plus, per $1,000.00 in excess of $25,000.00 .....1.00

(78)Shooting gallery. Each person engaged in the business of operating a shooting gallery, pistol or rifle range, etc., shall pay a license tax based on gross receipts as follows: $0.00 to $24,999.00 .....$150.00

25,000.00 and over .....150.00

Plus, per $1,000.00 in excess of $25,000.00 .....1.00

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 30 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

Under Sec. 15-85(76) of the Huntsville Code, anyone running a school, kindergarten, nursery, or day care in the city pays a business license tax starting at $65 for the first $24,999 in annual gross receipts, plus $1.00 per $1,000 above that. Operators enrolling six or fewer children are exempt, as are schools run by government or IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including churches. State licensing of the actual child care operation (staffing ratios, facility standards) runs separately through the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

Violations & Fines

Operating a school, nursery, or day care in Huntsville without the required business license, or under-reporting gross receipts used to calculate the license tax, exposes the operator to the city's standard license-enforcement penalties under Chapter 15.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every home day care in Huntsville need a business license?
No. Sec. 15-85(76) exempts anyone conducting a kindergarten, nursery, or day care enrolling six or fewer children from the license tax.
Who sets health and safety standards for Huntsville day cares?
The city's own code only reaches business licensing; child care facility standards and staffing ratios are licensed and regulated by the Alabama Department of Human Resources, not the city.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Huntsville

All Huntsville rules

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