Cleaning Service 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 Workers' Compensation Insurance

   Connecticut requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance for employees. Sole proprietors with no employees are generally exempt, but confirm with state requirements.

   Official government source

   Varies (typically $500–$2,000/year depending on payroll)·Immediate to 1 week

   Varies (typically $500–$2,000/year depending on payroll)

   Immediate to 1 week

1. 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

2. New Haven Trade Name (DBA) Certificate and home occupation zoning compliance

   A cleaning service trading under a name other than the owner's own legal name must file a trade name certificate with the New Haven City Clerk. CGS Sec. 35-1a requires the filing in the town where the business is principally transacted, on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State and acknowledged before an officer qualified to administer oaths; the certificate runs five years. Connecticut abolished county government in 1960, so there is no New Haven County Clerk, and CGS Sec. 35-1 itself was repealed effective January 1, 2025 and replaced by Secs. 35-1a to 35-1e. If the business is run from home, the use must also comply with New Haven's zoning ordinance through the city's zoning permit process - typical limits being no non-resident employees on site, no client foot traffic, no exterior signage and no outdoor storage.

   Official government source

   $20 for a trade name application, renewal, amendment or cancellation - a statewide statutory fee under CGS Sec. 7-34a - plus $1 per page for a copy and $2 to certify it; zoning permit fees are set by New Haven's adopted schedule·The City Clerk issues the trade name certificate on acceptance of the completed application and it then runs five years (CGS Sec. 35-1a(d)); zoning compliance for a home occupation is determined administratively

   $20 for a trade name application, renewal, amendment or cancellation - a statewide statutory fee under CGS Sec. 7-34a - plus $1 per page for a copy and $2 to certify it; zoning permit fees are set by New Haven's adopted schedule

   The City Clerk issues the trade name certificate on acceptance of the completed application and it then runs five years (CGS Sec. 35-1a(d)); zoning compliance for a home occupation is determined administratively

Official Sources

• City of New Haven Department of Licenses and Inspections
• Connecticut Department of Revenue Services — Sales Tax Permit

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