Food Truck 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 - Mobile Food Unit Permit

   Food trucks operating in New Haven need a mobile food unit permit from the City of New Haven Health Department, listed as 'Food Trucks' and 'Food License' in the city's Licenses & Permits catalogue. Connecticut abolished county government in 1960, so there is no New Haven County health department - licensing and inspection of food establishments including mobile units 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. The unit is inspected before the permit issues, must operate from an approved commissary rather than a home kitchen, and needs a certified food protection manager for most classes of operation. Vending on New Haven streets additionally requires a street vendor licence from the Permit & License Center.

   Official government source

   Annual mobile food unit permit fees are set by the City of New Haven Health Department; Connecticut sets no statewide mobile food unit fee·The pre-operation inspection must be passed before the permit issues, and the permit is renewed annually; the city notes that no licence or permit from the Permit & License Center is available same day

   Annual mobile food unit permit fees are set by the City of New Haven Health Department; Connecticut sets no statewide mobile food unit fee

   The pre-operation inspection must be passed before the permit issues, and the permit is renewed annually; the city notes that no licence or permit from the Permit & License Center is available same day

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

3. Commissary Agreement

   Most jurisdictions require mobile food units to operate from an approved commissary — a licensed commercial kitchen for food prep, storage, and cleaning. A signed commissary agreement must be submitted with the permit application.

   Official government source

   $200–$700/month (commissary rental fees vary)·Arranged before permit application

   $200–$700/month (commissary rental fees vary)

   Arranged before permit application

Official Sources

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

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