Catering Business Permit Requirements in New Haven, 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 New Haven Health Department - Food Service Establishment License

   Catering operations working out of New Haven need a food service establishment licence from the City of New Haven Health Department, listed as 'Food License' in the city's Licenses & Permits catalogue. Connecticut abolished county government in 1960, so there is no county health department - licensing and inspection of food establishments is done by the local health department under the Connecticut Public Health Code, with the state DPH Food Protection Program setting the standards and certifying local inspectors. A caterer must work from a licensed commercial kitchen or commissary rather than a home kitchen, submit plans for review before opening or remodelling, and pass an on-site inspection; at least one certified food protection manager is required for most establishment classes.

   Official government source

   Annual food service establishment licence fees are set by the City of New Haven Health Department; Connecticut sets no statewide food establishment licence fee·Plan review must be completed and the pre-opening inspection passed before the licence issues; the licence is renewed annually

   Annual food service establishment licence fees are set by the City of New Haven Health Department; Connecticut sets no statewide food establishment licence fee

   Plan review must be completed and the pre-opening inspection passed before the licence issues; the licence is renewed annually

2. New Haven zoning compliance and category-specific licenses (no general business license)

   New Haven issues no blanket general business license renewed annually and displayed at the place of business, and Connecticut has no statewide one. The city's Licenses & Permits index routes 'Business License' to the Permit & License Center, whose licences are strictly category-specific - Amusement, Auction and Auctioneer, Broker, Rooming House, Sales and Street Vendor/Peddler - with applications presented in person. What does apply to a business generally is zoning: the premises need a zoning permit or zoning compliance confirmation and a Certificate of Occupancy from the Office of Building Inspection & Enforcement under CGS Sec. 29-265. Note also that the department issuing building and licence approvals is the Office of Building Inspection & Enforcement, not Economic Development.

   Official government source

   No general business license fee exists; zoning, building and category-specific licence fees are set per category by New Haven's adopted fee schedules·A building permit must be issued or refused within 30 days of application (CGS Sec. 29-263(a)); Permit & License Center applications must be presented in person and are not issued same day

   No general business license fee exists; zoning, building and category-specific licence fees are set per category by New Haven's adopted fee schedules

   A building permit must be issued or refused within 30 days of application (CGS Sec. 29-263(a)); Permit & License Center applications must be presented in person and are not issued same day

Official Sources

• New Haven County Health Department
• Connecticut Department of Revenue Services — Sales Tax Permit

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