Event Planning Permit Requirements in Stamford, CT

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if operating as a business entity (LLC or corporation) or if you have employees. Free from the IRS. You will need an EIN to open a business bank account and sign vendor contracts professionally.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Connecticut business registration (Secretary of the State) and trade name filing

   Event planning businesses formed as an LLC, corporation or partnership must register with the Connecticut Secretary of the State; an LLC's certificate of organization costs $120 and the annual report is $80. Sole proprietors and partnerships operating under a trade name file a trade name certificate with the town clerk of the town where the business is located (CGS Sec. 35-1) - Connecticut has no county government and no county clerks, and the Secretary of the State does not file sole proprietor trade names. An LLC also provides personal liability protection that a trade name filing does not.

   Official government source

   $120 LLC certificate of organization; $20 trade name certificate at the town clerk; $80 LLC annual report·1-7 business days for an online filing with the Secretary of the State

   $120 LLC certificate of organization; $20 trade name certificate at the town clerk; $80 LLC annual report

   1-7 business days for an online filing with the Secretary of the State

2. Connecticut Sales and Use Tax Permit (if selling taxable goods or services)

   Event planning coordination is generally not itself a taxable service in Connecticut, but a planner who sells tangible goods - supplies, decorations, rented items, floral arrangements - or any enumerated taxable service must register with the Department of Revenue Services before making those sales. Registration is done online through myconneCT under 'New Business/Need a CT Registration Number?'. DRS then issues a Sales and Use Tax Permit that must be displayed conspicuously for customers; a separate permit is required for each business location, and a permit issued to a previous owner cannot be reused when a business is purchased.

   Official government source

   $100 registration fee to collect sales and use tax, charged once per location at registration·Registration through myconneCT is completed online; the Sales and Use Tax Permit follows registration

   $100 registration fee to collect sales and use tax, charged once per location at registration

   Registration through myconneCT is completed online; the Sales and Use Tax Permit follows registration

1. No general business license for a Stamford event planning business

   Connecticut has no statewide general business license, and Stamford does not issue a blanket municipal business license for event planners. What the Town Clerk does handle is the trade name certificate, required if you work under a business name. Events that use city parks, streets or other public property need a separate special event permit, and catering or alcohol service brings in the health department and state liquor permits.

   Official government source

   No general business license fee; trade name certificate $20 ($3 per certified copy)·Not applicable

   No general business license fee; trade name certificate $20 ($3 per certified copy)

   Not applicable

2. Stamford Special Event Permit (for events in public spaces)

   Events that use Stamford's public parks, streets, plazas or other city venues need a special event permit from the city. As the planner you may be the one applying on the client's behalf. Expect to supply event details, expected attendance, proof of general liability insurance, and a site plan or traffic management plan for larger events; police, fire and health sign-offs are added depending on the activity.

   Official government source

   Set by the city's special event and park permit fee schedule, with the organizer also covering city service costs·Apply well before the event date so the city departments involved can review and sign off

   Set by the city's special event and park permit fee schedule, with the organizer also covering city service costs

   Apply well before the event date so the city departments involved can review and sign off

3. Stamford Special Event Permit

   Outdoor events on public property, and large gatherings generally, require a special event permit from the City of Stamford. Connecticut has no unincorporated land and no county government, so there is no county permitting office for events 'outside city limits'. Requirements typically include proof of insurance, a site plan and sanitation arrangements, with police, fire and health sign-offs depending on the event.

   Official government source

   Set by the city's special event and park permit fee schedule, with the organizer also covering city service costs·Apply well before the event date so the reviewing departments can sign off

   Set by the city's special event and park permit fee schedule, with the organizer also covering city service costs

   Apply well before the event date so the reviewing departments can sign off

Official Sources

• Stamford Business Licensing
• Connecticut Secretary of State — Business Registration
• IRS EIN Application

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