Home Bakery 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 Cottage Food Operation License and required food safety training (DCP)

   Home bakers in Connecticut are not simply exempt. CGS Sec. 21a-62c requires every cottage food operation to be licensed annually by the Department of Consumer Protection - not the Department of Public Health - and to have attended and completed a food safety training program recognized by the commissioner before the license is issued. DCP examines the home kitchen before licensing, the license names the specific products the operation may make, and annual gross sales are capped at $50,000 under CGS Sec. 21a-62d. The separate Qualified Food Operator / Certified Food Protection Manager credential applies to licensed food service establishments, not to cottage food operations.

   Official government source

   Annual DCP cottage food operation license fee, set by the commissioner and capped by CGS Sec. 21a-62c at $100; the required food safety course is bought separately from a private training provider·Issued after the operator completes the recognized food safety training and DCP examines the home kitchen; the license must be renewed annually

   Annual DCP cottage food operation license fee, set by the commissioner and capped by CGS Sec. 21a-62c at $100; the required food safety course is bought separately from a private training provider

   Issued after the operator completes the recognized food safety training and DCP examines the home kitchen; the license must be renewed annually

1. Connecticut Cottage Food Operator (CFO) License - CT DCP

   Connecticut licenses home bakers as Cottage Food Operators through the Department of Consumer Protection. Before applying you need local zoning approval, an approved food safety training course, and a water test if the home is on a private well. Apply through the state's eLicense portal with the $50 application fee. Products must be on DCP's accepted list and labeled to state rules, and sales must be direct to consumers within Connecticut, with gross sales capped at $50,000 a year.

   Official government source

   $50 application fee·Zoning approval and food safety training must be completed first; the license is issued after DCP reviews the eLicense application

   $50 application fee

   Zoning approval and food safety training must be completed first; the license is issued after DCP reviews the eLicense application

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

• Connecticut Home Food Production License
• City of Stamford Department of Building, Land Use & Economic Development

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