Auto Repair Shop Permit Requirements in Burlington, VT

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. Vermont Department of Taxes — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Vermont. Vermont charges a 6% state sales tax; meals and lodging are taxed at 9%. Register with the Vermont Department of Taxes online.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via myVTax)

   Free

   Immediate (online via myVTax)

2. Vermont DEC — Used Oil and Hazardous Waste

   Auto repair shops in Vermont must comply with DEC hazardous waste regulations. Used oil must be stored properly and managed through licensed recyclers.

   Official government source

   Varies·2–4 weeks (registration)

   Varies

   2–4 weeks (registration)

1. Burlington Business License (not required for most businesses)

   Burlington's City Clerk/Treasurer does not issue a general business licence, and there is no gross-receipts-based city business tax certificate. The office licenses exactly four categories: cannabis, liquor, peddler, and taxi. Fitness studios, tutoring, cleaning services, salons, contractors, food trucks, child care, pet services, photography, and professional services are not required to hold a blanket city business licence. Check whether your business falls into one of the four licensed categories; otherwise the relevant approvals are trade- or use-specific — a zoning permit or Certificate of Occupancy from the Department of Permitting & Inspections, a state Health Department food licence, or a state professional licence from the Office of Professional Regulation.

   Official government source

   $0 — no general business licence exists in Burlington·N/A — there is no application to file unless your business is cannabis, liquor, peddling, or taxi

   $0 — no general business licence exists in Burlington

   N/A — there is no application to file unless your business is cannabis, liquor, peddling, or taxi

2. Burlington Zoning Permit and Certificate of Occupancy

   Auto repair shops must be in a zoning district where the use is permitted; obtain zoning approval and then a zoning Certificate of Occupancy from Burlington's Department of Permitting & Inspections (Zoning Division) before occupying the space. A change of use is itself a zoning permit trigger. There is no Chittenden County building department — Vermont counties perform no zoning or building-permit function, so the City of Burlington is the sole issuer.

   Official government source

   Change of use or projects under $29,000 estimated construction cost: $15 filing fee + $107. Larger projects: $15 filing fee + $140 + $2.20 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost, plus a development review fee of $4.50 per $1,000. The final zoning Certificate of Occupancy is included in the application fee ($30 + 10% of total application fees); a temporary Certificate of Occupancy is $150.·Zoning permits allow one year to start work and two more to finish; the Certificate of Occupancy must be requested before the permit expires or an after-the-fact fee applies.

   Change of use or projects under $29,000 estimated construction cost: $15 filing fee + $107. Larger projects: $15 filing fee + $140 + $2.20 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost, plus a development review fee of $4.50 per $1,000. The final zoning Certificate of Occupancy is included in the application fee ($30 + 10% of total application fees); a temporary Certificate of Occupancy is $150.

   Zoning permits allow one year to start work and two more to finish; the Certificate of Occupancy must be requested before the permit expires or an after-the-fact fee applies.

Official Sources

• City of Burlington City Clerk
• Vermont DEC — Used Oil and Hazardous Waste

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