Catering Business Permit Requirements in Newark, 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 Newark are permitted by the state Division of Public Health, Office of Food Protection — Delaware has no county health departments, and the Department of Agriculture regulates food products, not food service. The operation must work from an approved commercial kitchen (commissary), submit a plan review package to the Office of Food Protection (302-744-4546), and pass a pre-operational inspection. The permit is valid one year from issuance, is not transferable between owners or locations, 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 Newark Code Enforcement Division — Business License

   Newark requires a Business License, administered by the Planning Department's Code Enforcement Division (not the City Clerk), for businesses operating within city limits. Fees are set per Newark Code Chapter 13, Article VII §13-43 et seq. based on estimated demand/cost of municipal services and vary by business type; contact Code Enforcement (302-366-7000) for the applicable fee. License must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   Varies by business type and estimated municipal service cost; not a published flat fee — confirm with Code Enforcement·1–3 weeks

   Varies by business type and estimated municipal service cost; not a published flat fee — confirm with Code Enforcement

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• New Castle County Health Department
• Delaware — No Sales Tax

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