Home Bakery 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. No Food Safety Manager Certification Required for a Home Bakery

   Maine does not require a certified food protection manager for a home food business. The Certified Food Protection Manager requirement in the Maine Food Code applies to eating establishments licensed by the Maine CDC Health Inspection Program - restaurants and similar operations - not to shelf-stable home food production, which the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry licenses under a Home Food License. DACF's Division of Quality Assurance & Regulations does not administer any food safety manager certification.

   Official government source

   $0 - not required for a home bakery·Not applicable

   $0 - not required for a home bakery

   Not applicable

1. Maine Home Food License (DACF)

   Maine has no blanket cottage-food exemption. Home bakers who sell to the public generally need a Home Food License (Home Food Processor) from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Quality Assurance and Regulations. The licence covers shelf-stable products made in a home kitchen and sold retail or wholesale anywhere in the state, including at farmers' markets and farm stands; the kitchen is inspected and products must be labelled to DACF rules. Applicants on a private well must submit recent water test results. This is a paid licence, not a free registration.

   Official government source

   $20 (Home Food Processor licence, DACF Food and Fuel License Application)·Issued after a home-kitchen inspection; apply on the Food and Fuel License Application and contact DACF Quality Assurance and Regulations at 207-287-3841 to schedule

   $20 (Home Food Processor licence, DACF Food and Fuel License Application)

   Issued after a home-kitchen inspection; apply on the Food and Fuel License Application and contact DACF Quality Assurance and Regulations at 207-287-3841 to schedule

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

• Maine Cottage Food Law
• City of Portland City Clerk / Licensing Division

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