Catering Business Permit Requirements in Charlotte, NC

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. County Health Department Food Service Establishment Permit (Catering)

   Caterers serving food at off-site locations in North Carolina are regulated as food service establishments under standards enforced by NC DHHS's Food Protection and Facilities Section and administered locally through the county health department (for Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Environmental Health — Food and Facilities Sanitation). The NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) Food & Drug Protection Division licenses food manufacturers, wholesalers, and retail food stores; there is no separate statewide NCDA&CS "catering license."

   Official government source

   No NCDA&CS fee applies. Under G.S. 130A-248 the food establishment permit fee is $120 per permit, and a local health department may charge up to $250 for plan review.·N/A for NCDA&CS (no such license). Confirm plan review and permitting turnaround with the county health department.

   No NCDA&CS fee applies. Under G.S. 130A-248 the food establishment permit fee is $120 per permit, and a local health department may charge up to $250 for plan review.

   N/A for NCDA&CS (no such license). Confirm plan review and permitting turnaround with the county health department.

2. NC Sales Tax Registration (NCDOR)

   Required for all catering businesses in North Carolina. Catered food and beverages are subject to NC sales tax. Register with the North Carolina Department of Revenue to obtain your Sales and Use Tax account number.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online registration)

   Free

   Immediate (online registration)

3. Food Handler Training (for employees)

   Food service employees at a catering business in NC should receive food handler training as good practice. North Carolina's food code (15A NCAC 18A, enforced by county health departments under NC DHHS's Food Protection and Facilities Section) requires most permitted food service establishments to have a Certified Food Protection Manager on staff. This is a DHHS/county health department requirement, not an NCDA&CS one — NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection covers manufacturing, wholesale, and retail food stores. Confirm exact applicability with your county health department (for Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Environmental Health).

   Official government source

   Varies by provider — CFPM and food handler courses are sold by private ANSI-accredited training organizations, not by the state; no state fee applies.·Course-dependent; not set by the state.

   Varies by provider — CFPM and food handler courses are sold by private ANSI-accredited training organizations, not by the state; no state fee applies.

   Course-dependent; not set by the state.

4. NC Secretary of State Business Entity Registration

   Required if operating as an LLC, corporation, or partnership in North Carolina. Establishes your legal business entity and protects your business name in the state.

   Official government source

   $125 (domestic LLC or corporation filing fee; foreign/out-of-state entity registration is $250)·10-15 business days (NC Secretary of State's posted turnaround for entity creation filings)

   $125 (domestic LLC or corporation filing fee; foreign/out-of-state entity registration is $250)

   10-15 business days (NC Secretary of State's posted turnaround for entity creation filings)

1. Mecklenburg County Environmental Health Food Establishment Permit (Catering / Commissary)

   North Carolina has no separate 'catering permit.' A caterer operates under a standard food establishment permit issued by Mecklenburg County Environmental Health under G.S. 130A-248 and 15A NCAC 18A .2600, working out of a permitted commercial kitchen (commissary). Submit plans to Environmental Health Plan Review, pass a pre-operational inspection, then receive the permit. Inspections are conducted at the permitted kitchen, not at each catered event.

   Official government source

   $120 state permit fee (G.S. 130A-248) plus Mecklenburg County plan review of $250 (FY27 Environmental Health fee schedule); plan re-review $200 if required.·Plan review plus pre-operational inspection; allow several weeks. Mecklenburg does not publish a guaranteed turnaround.

   $120 state permit fee (G.S. 130A-248) plus Mecklenburg County plan review of $250 (FY27 Environmental Health fee schedule); plan re-review $200 if required.

   Plan review plus pre-operational inspection; allow several weeks. Mecklenburg does not publish a guaranteed turnaround.

2. No General City of Charlotte Business Registration

   North Carolina repealed cities' authority to require a general privilege license or business registration statewide, effective July 1, 2015 (Session Law 2014-3, s. 12.3). Charlotte has no general business registration requirement for caterers. Caterers instead need a Mecklenburg County Environmental Health food establishment permit (see separate entry).

   Official government source

   No fee (no such registration exists)·N/A

   No fee (no such registration exists)

   N/A

Official Sources

• Mecklenburg County Environmental Health - Food Protection
• NC Department of Agriculture - Food and Drug Protection
• City of Charlotte - Business Resources
• NC Department of Revenue - Sales and Use Tax

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