Catering Business Permit Requirements in Baton Rouge, LA

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. Louisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Louisiana. The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 5%. Sellers must apply for a sales tax certificate with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Louisiana also has parish- and municipal-level sales taxes collected separately by local collectors, so the combined rate varies by parish and you must register with each applicable local collector in addition to the state.

   Official government source

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.·Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

   Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

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

   Louisiana requires a certified food safety manager for retail food establishments, including caterers and mobile food units. LDH-approved providers teach an eight-hour Food Safety Manager course and proctor an ANSI-accredited exam (e.g. ServSafe); the resulting certification is then submitted to LDH's Retail Food Program for the state 'gold seal' Food Safety Manager Certificate. Food handler certificates, out-of-state manager certificates and course completion certificates are not accepted.

   Official government source

   Course/exam fees are set by the private LDH-approved provider and vary; LDH charges a separate fee for the state certificate, payable by company check, money order or credit card. Confirm both with your provider and LDH — the $80–$150 figure is unverified.·The approved course is eight hours; LDH does not publish a processing time for issuing the state certificate.

   Course/exam fees are set by the private LDH-approved provider and vary; LDH charges a separate fee for the state certificate, payable by company check, money order or credit card. Confirm both with your provider and LDH — the $80–$150 figure is unverified.

   The approved course is eight hours; LDH does not publish a processing time for issuing the state certificate.

1. Louisiana Department of Health — Retail Food Permit (Catering)

   A catering business in Baton Rouge is permitted by the Louisiana Department of Health's Retail Food Program (Bureau of Sanitarian Services) — a state agency, not a city or parish health department. You must operate from a licensed commercial kitchen (commissary), submit the Retail Food Plan Review Questionnaire, and pass an on-site inspection by the regional LDH sanitarian before the permit issues. A certified Food Safety Manager is also required.

   Official government source

   $150 for a first retail food permit under LDH's Retail Food Permit Fee Schedule ($112.50 for the second through fourth permits, $75 for each after the fourth). Since July 1, 2025 a plans-review fee also applies to new or substantially renovated facilities — $100 standard or $1,000 expedited. Special event/temporary permits are a flat $25.·Plans review is 10 business days standard or 5 business days expedited, followed by an inspection by the regional LDH sanitarian; LDH does not publish an overall issuance time.

   $150 for a first retail food permit under LDH's Retail Food Permit Fee Schedule ($112.50 for the second through fourth permits, $75 for each after the fourth). Since July 1, 2025 a plans-review fee also applies to new or substantially renovated facilities — $100 standard or $1,000 expedited. Special event/temporary permits are a flat $25.

   Plans review is 10 business days standard or 5 business days expedited, followed by an inspection by the regional LDH sanitarian; LDH does not publish an overall issuance time.

2. City of Baton Rouge / Parish of East Baton Rouge Department of Finance — Business License

   All businesses in East Baton Rouge Parish must obtain an Occupational License from the Finance Department's Revenue Collection Division (225-389-3084), renewed annually and posted at the place of business. Some businesses additionally need approval from Permits & Inspections and/or the health authority, and a zoning clearance or Certificate of Occupancy carries a separate fee. Certain categories are exempt by ordinance (for example manufacturers except on retail sales, and several enumerated professions).

   Official government source

   A one-time registration fee of $50 if the business opens January 1–June 30 or $25 if it opens July 1–December 31. The annual tax is computed from gross receipts using the classification tables in the Occupational License Tax Ordinance and can exceed $500 for larger businesses — it is not a $50–$500 band.·Apply at least one month before opening. A temporary certificate is mailed after processing; after 30 days of operation you report gross receipts and the permanent license issues. Renewals are due January 1 and delinquent after March 1 (5% penalty per 30 days to a 25% maximum, plus 15% annual interest).

   A one-time registration fee of $50 if the business opens January 1–June 30 or $25 if it opens July 1–December 31. The annual tax is computed from gross receipts using the classification tables in the Occupational License Tax Ordinance and can exceed $500 for larger businesses — it is not a $50–$500 band.

   Apply at least one month before opening. A temporary certificate is mailed after processing; after 30 days of operation you report gross receipts and the permanent license issues. Renewals are due January 1 and delinquent after March 1 (5% penalty per 30 days to a 25% maximum, plus 15% annual interest).

Official Sources

• East Baton Rouge Parish Health Department
• Louisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

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