Catering Business Permit Requirements in Stamford, 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. Stamford Health Department - Food Service Establishment License

   Caterers operating out of Stamford must be licensed by the Stamford Health Department's environmental health staff, the local licensing authority under Connecticut's Public Health Code and adopted Food Code. You need a licensed commercial kitchen or commissary and an on-site inspection before the license issues, and at least one certified food protection manager. There is no Fairfield County health department - Connecticut has no county government.

   Official government source

   Annual license fee set by the Stamford Health Department's fee schedule·Issued after plan review and an on-site inspection of the kitchen

   Annual license fee set by the Stamford Health Department's fee schedule

   Issued after plan review and an on-site inspection of the kitchen

2. Stamford Certificate of Occupancy and category-specific permits (no general business license)

   Stamford requires no general business license, and Connecticut has no statewide one - so nothing is issued annually to be displayed at the place of business. What Stamford does require is a Certificate of Occupancy for the premises from the Building Department, plus whichever category-specific permits fit the business. The city's Permits and Licenses catalogue lists Building Department permits (building, demolition, zoning, signs, temporary tents, contractor registration), Engineering excavation and obstruction permits, and Department of Health licences (annual food establishment, retail food store, mobile food establishment, cosmetology, massage establishment, hotel/motel, public pool, multiple family dwelling, rooming house, refuse trucks). Note the Building Department sits under Operations; Economic Development is a separate office that issues no permits.

   Official government source

   No general business license fee exists; Building, Engineering and Health permit fees are set per category by Stamford's adopted fee schedules·A building permit must be issued or refused within 30 days of application (CGS Sec. 29-263(a)); Health Department licences such as food and cosmetology run annually and require plan review and inspection before issuance

   No general business license fee exists; Building, Engineering and Health permit fees are set per category by Stamford's adopted fee schedules

   A building permit must be issued or refused within 30 days of application (CGS Sec. 29-263(a)); Health Department licences such as food and cosmetology run annually and require plan review and inspection before issuance

Official Sources

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

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