Huntsville, AL Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (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
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?
Who sets health and safety standards for Huntsville day cares?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntsville
Compare Huntsville to another location·View the Alabama building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.