Catering Business Permit Requirements in Lewiston, ME

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. Maine Revenue Services — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Maine. Maine charges a 5.5% state sales tax (food and lodging have different rates). Register with Maine Revenue Services online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

2. Certified Food Protection Manager (Maine Food Code)

   Under the 2013 Maine Food Code every food establishment must have a Person in Charge and at least one employee holding a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification from an ANSI-accredited programme such as ServSafe; the same person may be both. Eating establishments - restaurants, caterers and mobile food units - are licensed and inspected by the Maine CDC (DHHS) Health Inspection Program, or locally by Portland, Lewiston or South Portland under a delegated agreement. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry licenses retail and food-processing operations instead, so DACF is the wrong agency for a food truck or caterer.

   Official government source

   No government fee - the CFPM course and proctored exam are sold by the ANSI-accredited training provider you choose, and neither the State nor a delegated municipality charges to record the certificate·The course and exam are usually completed in one to two days; keep the certificate on file at the establishment for inspection

   No government fee - the CFPM course and proctored exam are sold by the ANSI-accredited training provider you choose, and neither the State nor a delegated municipality charges to record the certificate

   The course and exam are usually completed in one to two days; keep the certificate on file at the establishment for inspection

1. Lewiston Food Service Establishment License (Catering)

   Lewiston is one of only three Maine municipalities (with Portland and South Portland) that hold a delegated Maine CDC Health Inspection Program agreement, so the food service license for a caterer is issued locally by the Lewiston City Clerk after inspection by the city's Code (Health) Department, under state rules. 'Food Service Establishment' is one of the 40-plus business types the City Clerk licenses; Androscoggin County has no food-licensing role.

   Official government source

   $100 license fee under the delegated municipality schedule (versus $270 for a state-issued Catering license); confirm any additional Lewiston application charge with the City Clerk at 207-513-3124·Apply to the City Clerk at least seven days before you begin, and allow time for Code (Health) and Fire inspections

   $100 license fee under the delegated municipality schedule (versus $270 for a state-issued Catering license); confirm any additional Lewiston application charge with the City Clerk at 207-513-3124

   Apply to the City Clerk at least seven days before you begin, and allow time for Code (Health) and Fire inspections

2. City of Lewiston - Selective Business Licensing (City Clerk)

   Lewiston does not require a general business licence or registration, and licensing is run by the City Clerk's Department (207-513-3124), not the Finance Department. The Clerk licenses over 40 specific business types required by Maine statute or city ordinance - among them food service establishments, mobile units and roving diners, massage establishments and therapists, tattoo parlours, lodging houses, flea markets, pawnbrokers, peddlers, second-hand dealers, taxicab companies, junk collectors and adult businesses. Most other trades - cleaning, landscaping, handyman, photography, tutoring, pet sitting, notary, bookkeeping, real estate, insurance, plumbing, electrical and HVAC contracting - are not licensed by the City at all. Most licensed types require inspection by the Fire, Code (Health) or Police departments before issue.

   Official government source

   Fees are published per category in the City's Business License Applications Fees, Penalties and Inspection and Approval Schedule - for example food service establishment $150-$575 by class and size, mobile unit / roving diner $100, massage establishment $110 application plus $195 licence, tattooing $110 plus $195, second-hand dealer $88, peddler $56 in state. Most businesses pay nothing because they are not a licensed category.·File the application at least seven days before you begin operating, and allow time for any required Fire, Code (Health) or Police inspection

   Fees are published per category in the City's Business License Applications Fees, Penalties and Inspection and Approval Schedule - for example food service establishment $150-$575 by class and size, mobile unit / roving diner $100, massage establishment $110 application plus $195 licence, tattooing $110 plus $195, second-hand dealer $88, peddler $56 in state. Most businesses pay nothing because they are not a licensed category.

   File the application at least seven days before you begin operating, and allow time for any required Fire, Code (Health) or Police inspection

Official Sources

• Androscoggin County Health Department
• Maine Revenue Services — Sales Tax Registration

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