Catering Business Permit Requirements in Indianapolis, IN

Complete permit and license guide for starting a catering business in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.

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 Indiana

2 stops

  1. Indiana Department of Revenue — Registered Retail Merchant Certificate

    Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property at retail in Indiana. Indiana charges a flat 7% state sales tax with no additional local sales tax. Register online via INBiz.

    Official government source

    $25 one-time registration feeImmediate (online via INBiz)

  2. Indiana Department of Health — Certified Food Protection Manager Requirement

    Indiana's food protection rule (410 IAC 7-26, with certification under 410 IAC 7-22 as amended by HEA 1210) requires every retail food establishment — including catering operations and mobile food units — to employ at least one certified food protection manager. The certification must come from an ANSI/ANAB-accredited program such as ServSafe Manager, the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals or Prometric; a basic food handler card does not satisfy it. Certification is typically valid five years, and the certificate holder's name and expiration date must be listed on your local health department permit application.

    Official government source

    Set by the training provider, not the state. Examples listed by Vanderburgh County Health Department: ServSafe Manager class, book and exam about $160; exam only $65; or a $36 ServSafe voucher plus a $45 proctor fee ($81 total)Same day for the exam; 1–2 weeks for the certificate

City of Indianapolis / Marion County

2 stops

  1. Marion County Public Health Department — Food Service Establishment License

    A catering business operating in Indianapolis/Marion County must hold a Food Service Establishment license from the Marion County Public Health Department's Food and Consumer Safety program, which licenses and inspects retail food establishments. It requires a licensed commercial kitchen and an on-site inspection. The City of Indianapolis does not issue this license and has no food licensing office of its own.

    Official government source

    MCPHD does not publish a food service establishment fee schedule online — confirm the current fee with Food and Consumer Safety at 317.221.2222 or [email protected].Not published — allow time for plan review and a pre-opening inspection of the kitchen; confirm scheduling with MCPHD before committing to an opening date.

  2. Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services — Business License

    Indianapolis (Marion County) has no general business license and no product called a 'Commercial Zoning Certificate.' DBNS licenses only specific business types by ordinance (e.g., massage establishments $177, kennels/pet shops/stables $200, hotels, pawnbrokers). Most business types listed here do not require any Indianapolis business license — check DBNS's Business Licenses list for your specific type.

    Official government source

    N/A for most business types; specific licensed types have individual fees (e.g., $177–$200)N/A

Terminus

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

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