Food Truck Permit Requirements in Hartford, CT

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Connecticut Department of Revenue Services — Sales Tax Permit

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Connecticut. Connecticut charges a 6.35% state sales tax and taxes certain services (broader base than many states). Register with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services via myconneCT; a $100 registration fee applies.

   Official government source

   $100 (registration fee)·Immediate (online via myconneCT)

   $100 (registration fee)

   Immediate (online via myconneCT)

2. Connecticut Department of Public Health — Food Protection Manager Certification

   Connecticut requires food establishments (via its adopted FDA Food Code) to employ at least one certified food protection manager. Certification must be from an ANSI-accredited program (e.g. ServSafe).

   Official government source

   $80–$150 (exam and course)·1–2 days

   $80–$150 (exam and course)

   1–2 days

1. City of Hartford Mobile Food Vendor licensing (HHS food service + DDS mobile vendor + zoning)

   Food trucks in Hartford need approvals from three city bodies: a food service license from Health & Human Services, a mobile vendor license from the Development Services Licenses & Inspections Division, and zoning approval from DDS Planning where applicable. The truck is inspected before the food license issues. Vending must follow Article 27 of the city ordinances and Section 3.7.3 of the zoning regulations - including no operation after 9pm without permission and setbacks from hydrants, intersections and building entrances. The mobile vendor year runs July 1 to June 30 regardless of when you apply.

   Official government source

   Separate fees for the HHS food service license and the DDS mobile vendor license, set by the city·Allow time for all three approvals; the mobile vendor license expires each June 30

   Separate fees for the HHS food service license and the DDS mobile vendor license, set by the city

   Allow time for all three approvals; the mobile vendor license expires each June 30

2. No general Hartford business license (category-specific licenses only)

   Hartford does not require a general business license. The Licenses & Inspections Division licenses only specific regulated categories - food establishments, mobile vendors, laundromats, amusement devices, parking lots and similar activities. Service businesses such as plumbing, salons, tutoring, pet sitting or photography are not licensed by the city, though they may need a state license, zoning approval, or a certificate of occupancy for commercial space.

   Official government source

   No fee - Hartford issues no general business license·Not applicable

   No fee - Hartford issues no general business license

   Not applicable

3. Approved Commissary Agreement (mobile food unit)

   Connecticut's Public Health Code, which adopts the FDA Food Code, requires a mobile food unit to operate from an approved commissary - a licensed commercial kitchen used for food preparation, storage, potable water supply, wastewater disposal and cleaning - because a mobile unit cannot self-supply those functions. A signed commissary agreement identifying the licensed facility and the frequency of servicing is submitted with the mobile food unit application to the local health department, which in Hartford is the Department of Health & Human Services Environmental Health division; the commissary must itself hold a current food establishment licence, and the health department verifies that before issuing. Standards are set statewide by CT DPH's Food Protection Program and enforced by the local health director.

   Official government source

   Commissary rent is a private commercial rate negotiated with the licensed kitchen operator, not a government fee; the health department charges no separate fee for the commissary agreement itself·The signed commissary agreement must be in place and submitted with the mobile food unit licence application, before the health department will issue the permit

   Commissary rent is a private commercial rate negotiated with the licensed kitchen operator, not a government fee; the health department charges no separate fee for the commissary agreement itself

   The signed commissary agreement must be in place and submitted with the mobile food unit licence application, before the health department will issue the permit

Official Sources

• Hartford / Hartford County Health Department
• Connecticut Department of Revenue Services — Sales Tax Permit

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