Catering Business Permit Requirements in Dover, DE

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. Delaware — No Sales Tax

   Delaware has no state or local sales tax. Instead, Delaware levies a Gross Receipts Tax on the seller of goods or provider of services, based on total receipts. Register with the Delaware Division of Revenue.

   Official government source

   Free (gross receipts tax registration)·Immediate (online)

   Free (gross receipts tax registration)

   Immediate (online)

2. Delaware Division of Public Health — Certified Food Protection Manager

   Delaware requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on staff at a food establishment. The certification must come from a programme accredited to the Conference for Food Protection standard (ANSI/ANAB) — DPH's Office of Food Protection publishes the approved provider list, which includes ServSafe, National Registry of Food Safety Professionals, StateFoodSafety, Learn2Serve and others, plus Delaware-based training through University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, Delaware Tech, Delaware State University and the Delaware Restaurant Association. Certification is valid five years.

   Official government source

   $80–$150 for the course and proctored exam, depending on provider (ServSafe and equivalents); DPH charges no separate fee·1–2 days for the course and exam

   $80–$150 for the course and proctored exam, depending on provider (ServSafe and equivalents); DPH charges no separate fee

   1–2 days for the course and exam

1. Delaware Division of Public Health — Food Establishment Permit (Catering)

   Catering businesses operating out of Dover are permitted by the state Division of Public Health, Office of Food Protection — Delaware has no county health departments. The operation must work from an approved commercial kitchen (commissary), submit a plan review package to the Office of Food Protection at 43 South DuPont Highway, Suite C, Dover (302-744-4546), and pass a pre-operational inspection. The permit is valid one year from issuance, is not transferable, and must be posted for public view.

   Official government source

   $100/year permit (Public Eating Place), plus a one-time plan review fee based on floor area — $50 up to 1,000 sq ft, $100 for 1,001–5,000 sq ft, rising to $250 above 15,000 sq ft; non-profits are exempt·2–6 weeks

   $100/year permit (Public Eating Place), plus a one-time plan review fee based on floor area — $50 up to 1,000 sq ft, $100 for 1,001–5,000 sq ft, rising to $250 above 15,000 sq ft; non-profits are exempt

   2–6 weeks

2. City of Dover Planning and Inspections Department — Business License

   Every business operating within Dover city limits must hold a city business license (City Code ch. 26, art. II), separate from any Certificate of Occupancy for the space. Fees are set per business-type category in Appendix F, most recently revised by Ordinance 2024-22 (adopted July 8, 2024). Manufacturers and contractors instead pay a rate on gross receipts, and merchants and bottlers a rate on gross purchases for resale, each with a minimum fee. Licenses are annual and prorated quarterly for businesses that start mid-year.

   Official government source

   Set per category in Appendix F — e.g. barber or beautician $64, manicurist $32, massage therapist $60, fitness trainer $72, food truck $180, eating establishment $128, car wash $192, health spa/club $192, pest control $96, photographer $128; businesses not listed pay $52 (1–3 employees) to $320 (51–100 employees). Contractors and manufacturers pay $0.00046 of gross receipts (minimum $128); merchants and bottlers $0.00046 of gross purchases for resale (minimum $64).·1–3 weeks

   Set per category in Appendix F — e.g. barber or beautician $64, manicurist $32, massage therapist $60, fitness trainer $72, food truck $180, eating establishment $128, car wash $192, health spa/club $192, pest control $96, photographer $128; businesses not listed pay $52 (1–3 employees) to $320 (51–100 employees). Contractors and manufacturers pay $0.00046 of gross receipts (minimum $128); merchants and bottlers $0.00046 of gross purchases for resale (minimum $64).

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• Kent County Health Department
• Delaware — No Sales Tax

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