Catering Business Permit Requirements in Portland, 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. City of Portland Food Service Establishment License (Catering)

   Portland is one of only three Maine municipalities (with Lewiston and South Portland) holding a delegated Maine CDC Health Inspection Program agreement, so a caterer's food service licence is issued and inspected by the City of Portland's Permitting & Inspections Housing Safety & Business Licensing Division under state rules. Cumberland County has no role in food service licensing.

   Official government source

   $45.00 City business licence application fee; the food service licence itself is charged at the delegated-municipality rate of $100.00 under the Maine CDC Health Inspection Program fee schedule (versus $270 for a state-issued catering licence). Alcohol service adds separate City and State fees.·Apply through Business Licensing before operating; the licence issues after a passing health inspection

   $45.00 City business licence application fee; the food service licence itself is charged at the delegated-municipality rate of $100.00 under the Maine CDC Health Inspection Program fee schedule (versus $270 for a state-issued catering licence). Alcohol service adds separate City and State fees.

   Apply through Business Licensing before operating; the licence issues after a passing health inspection

2. City of Portland Business License (specific regulated activities only)

   Portland does not require a business licence of every business. The City's Business License Administrator (207-874-8557, [email protected]) issues licences only for specific regulated categories: food service and liquor establishments, breweries and distilleries, food trucks and pushcarts, temporary events and catering, flea markets and second-hand dealers, marijuana businesses, massage therapists and establishments, taxi/livery/tour vehicles and valet parking, farmers market vendors, fire permits, scrap metal recycling and transient sellers. If your business is not in one of those categories, no City of Portland business licence is required. Where one does apply, most types need Zoning, Health, Code Enforcement, Fire, Police (SBI background check) and Treasury approvals first, and outstanding taxes or sewer fees will block issuance.

   Official government source

   $45 flat application fee (a single $45 fee even when applying for several licence types at once) and $35 a year to renew - not revenue-tiered. Sole proprietors and partnerships also file a d/b/a for $10.·Licences are annual. Allow time for the departmental approvals - zoning, health, code, fire, police background check and treasury - before the licence issues

   $45 flat application fee (a single $45 fee even when applying for several licence types at once) and $35 a year to renew - not revenue-tiered. Sole proprietors and partnerships also file a d/b/a for $10.

   Licences are annual. Allow time for the departmental approvals - zoning, health, code, fire, police background check and treasury - before the licence issues

Official Sources

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

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