Handyman 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 Consumer Protection - Home Improvement Contractor Registration

   Contractors performing home improvement work on residential property in Connecticut must register with the Department of Consumer Protection. Registration requires general liability insurance of at least $20,000 and a non-refundable $220 fee, and all registrations expire annually on March 31. Trades such as electrical, plumbing and HVAC require separate state licenses in addition to this registration.

   Official government source

   $220 initial registration; $220 annual renewal·All registrations expire on March 31 regardless of when they are issued

   $220 initial registration; $220 annual renewal

   All registrations expire on March 31 regardless of when they are issued

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 Building Permit (for regulated work)

   Handyman tasks that involve electrical, plumbing, HVAC or structural work require a permit from the City of New Haven Building Department; Connecticut has no county government, so no county building department exists. Permit fees are based on the value of the work, and inspections are required as the job proceeds. Work that requires a state trade license or Home Improvement Contractor registration cannot be performed without it.

   Official government source

   Based on the value of the work under New Haven's building permit fee schedule·Issued by the Building Department after review; inspections required as work proceeds

   Based on the value of the work under New Haven's building permit fee schedule

   Issued by the Building Department after review; inspections required as work proceeds

Official Sources

• City of New Haven Department of Licenses and Inspections
• Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection — Home Improvement Contractor Registration

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