Catering Permit Requirements in Las Vegas, NV

1. Employer Identification Number (EIN)

   Issued by the IRS at no cost. Required if you have employees (catering crew, servers, bartenders), operate as an LLC or corporation, or need a business bank account. Apply online through the IRS website for immediate issuance.

   Official government source

   Free·Same day (online)

   Free

   Same day (online)

2. USDA/FDA Food Safety Compliance (if applicable)

   Caterers handling certain foods (e.g., USDA-regulated meats) or operating across state lines may have federal food safety obligations. Most local caterers are covered under state/local health permits, but large-scale or interstate operations should review FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements.

   Official government source

   Free (compliance only)·Ongoing

   Free (compliance only)

   Ongoing

1. Nevada SilverFlume Business Registration

   Nevada's official online business portal (SilverFlume) is the starting point for all business registrations. File your business entity (LLC, corporation, or sole proprietor DBA) through SilverFlume. Nevada LLCs provide strong liability protection — particularly important for catering operations at large events. Includes state business registration and links to other required state filings.

   Official government source

   LLC: $425 total initial ($75 Articles + $150 Initial List + $200 State Business License); corporation: ~$725 (license is $500 for corporations)·1–5 business days

   LLC: $425 total initial ($75 Articles + $150 Initial List + $200 State Business License); corporation: ~$725 (license is $500 for corporations)

   1–5 business days

2. Food Handler Safety Training Card (SNHD)

   In Clark County, every food handler must hold a Food Handler Safety Training Card issued by the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) — required of any person employed in or operating a food establishment as defined in NRS 446.030. The card is obtained from SNHD itself (testing at SNHD offices; SNHD provides free training materials); third-party providers do not issue it. At least one person holding SNHD’s separate Certified Food Protection Manager card (~$150) must be on staff for catering operations.

   Official government source

   $25 per card, 3-year validity ($25 renewal)·1 day

   $25 per card, 3-year validity ($25 renewal)

   1 day

3. Nevada Modified Business Tax (MBT) Registration

   Businesses with employees in Nevada must register with the Nevada Department of Taxation and file the Modified Business Tax quarterly. Catering companies with event staff, servers, or cooks are subject to MBT. Registering with the Employment Security Division for unemployment insurance automatically registers the employer for MBT with the Department of Taxation.

   Official government source

   Tax-based (registration free)·1–2 weeks

   Tax-based (registration free)

   1–2 weeks

1. City of Las Vegas Business License

   Businesses operating within City of Las Vegas limits must obtain a business license from the city's Business Licensing division (apply online via the city's Business License portal; 702-229-6281). Most business types are 'general' licenses; certain sensitive activities are 'privileged' licenses requiring an appointment and background investigation. Businesses at unincorporated-Clark-County addresses (much of the Las Vegas Valley, including the Strip) license through Clark County instead — verify jurisdiction with the city's address lookup. Caterers list catering as the business activity. If the base of operations is in unincorporated Clark County, a county business license is required instead.

   Official government source

   City of Las Vegas: $50 nonrefundable processing fee for a general license ($100 for a privileged license), plus a license fee set by category — flat, incremental, or gross-revenue-based billed per six-month period (e.g., $55 per 6-month period for gross revenue up to $30,000). Confirm the category fee with city Business Licensing, 702-229-6281 (needs_review for exact category amount).·1–2 weeks

   City of Las Vegas: $50 nonrefundable processing fee for a general license ($100 for a privileged license), plus a license fee set by category — flat, incremental, or gross-revenue-based billed per six-month period (e.g., $55 per 6-month period for gross revenue up to $30,000). Confirm the category fee with city Business Licensing, 702-229-6281 (needs_review for exact category amount).

   1–2 weeks

2. Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) Food Establishment Permit

   Issued by the Southern Nevada Health District. Required for the commissary or base kitchen where catering food is prepared. SNHD inspects for food temperature controls, handwashing facilities, sanitation, and equipment. Caterers using a shared or commissary kitchen must provide a written commissary agreement. Permit class and fee vary by facility size and risk level.

   Official government source

   $290/year for the SNHD 'Caterer' permit (per SNHD Environmental Health fee schedule effective 07/01/2026); dedicated banquet/commissary kitchens are permitted by size ($768–$1,799/year). One-time plan-review fees apply to new facilities.·2–4 weeks

   $290/year for the SNHD 'Caterer' permit (per SNHD Environmental Health fee schedule effective 07/01/2026); dedicated banquet/commissary kitchens are permitted by size ($768–$1,799/year). One-time plan-review fees apply to new facilities.

   2–4 weeks

3. SNHD Catering / Mobile Food Permit

   Issued by the Southern Nevada Health District for catering vehicles or off-site food service. Covers temperature-maintaining equipment, handwashing facilities in the vehicle, and sanitary food transport and serving. Required if food is transported and served from a catering vehicle at event locations.

   Official government source

   $335/year (SNHD 'Mobile Food Service' permit, EH fee schedule eff. 07/01/2026); one-time mobile plan review $658. Fees are invoiced through SNHD's Accela portal.·2–3 weeks

   $335/year (SNHD 'Mobile Food Service' permit, EH fee schedule eff. 07/01/2026); one-time mobile plan review $658. Fees are invoiced through SNHD's Accela portal.

   2–3 weeks

4. Clark County Business License (if operating in unincorporated areas)

   Required if your catering base of operations or service area includes unincorporated Clark County (many convention centers, hotels, and resort-corridor venues are unincorporated). Issued by the Clark County Department of Business License under the 'Food Caterers' category (NAICS 722320).

   Official government source

   Semiannual fee based on % of gross revenue ('Food Caterers' category, county fee schedule rev. 09.2024); confirm the current rate with the county (702-455-0174).·1–3 weeks

   Semiannual fee based on % of gross revenue ('Food Caterers' category, county fee schedule rev. 09.2024); confirm the current rate with the county (702-455-0174).

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Las Vegas Business Licensing
• Southern Nevada Health District – Food Establishment Permits
• Clark County Business License
• Nevada SilverFlume
• Nevada Department of Taxation

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