Catering Business Permit Requirements in Davenport, IA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a catering business in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.

Verified 2026-09-03 5 stops $500–$1,500 est. 4–8 weeks
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Iowa

2 stops

  1. Iowa Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for businesses selling taxable goods or services in Iowa. The state rate is 6%, and local option sales tax of up to 1% may apply. Iowa taxes about 75 enumerated services, so check whether your service is taxable before assuming you need a permit. Register with the Iowa Department of Revenue online.

    Official government source

    Free — no fee to register for a sales tax permitRegister online through GovConnectIowa, the state's tax portal

  2. Certified Food Protection Manager (Iowa DIAL)

    Iowa follows FDA Food Code 2-102.12: the person in charge of a food establishment must be a certified food protection manager who has passed a test from an accredited program. Certification is earned through ANSI-accredited providers such as ServSafe (offered through the Iowa Restaurant Association) and other approved online or in-person courses; the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing lists the accepted programs but does not itself run the training.

    Official government source

    No state fee — course and exam prices are set by the private ANSI-accredited providersMost providers run the course and exam in one or two days

City of Davenport / Scott County

2 stops

  1. Scott County Health Department — Food Service Establishment License (catering)

    Catering operations based in Davenport need a Food Service Establishment license. Scott County is one of ten local health departments contracted by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing to license and inspect food establishments, so Scott County Health Department issues the license. A licensed commercial kitchen (commissary), plan review, and a pre-opening inspection are required; the license is not transferable, and a change of location or ownership requires a new one.

    Official government source

    Fee is based on annual gross food and beverage sales; there is no charge for plan reviewSubmit the application at least 30 days before opening; the license must be issued before operations begin

  2. No General Business License Required in Davenport

    Davenport does not require a general, citywide business license. The Revenue Division licenses only specific categories, each with its own fee: alarm businesses ($50-$100), auctioneers ($150), billboards and signs, bicycles ($5), tobacco/nicotine ($25-$100 by term), closing-out sales, vehicle-related businesses, mobile food units ($55), live entertainment ($50), metal recyclers ($300), and pawnbrokers/secondhand/junk/antique dealers ($50-$500). Most professional and personal-service businesses — pest control, barbering, tutoring, insurance, cleaning, photography — are not licensed by the city at all. Check the category list, and call the Revenue Division at 563-326-7715 if unsure.

    Official government source

    $0 for most business types; listed categories carry their own published feesNot applicable unless your activity is one of the listed categories

Terminus

Open for business — est. $500–$1,500 · 4–8 weeks

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