State-administered by the Vermont Dept of Health Food & Lodging Program; Chittenden County (Burlington) has no county health department. Licenses are annual and not prorated.
Turnaround: Submit complete application at least 30 days before planned opening
Mobile units and push carts must meet the Mobile Unit and Push Cart Requirements; mobile seafood vendors follow Food Caterer - Mobile requirements.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | $155/yr (Home Caterer); $260/yr (Commercial Caterer) | Vermont breaks out two caterer tiers in 18 V.S.A. § 4353. |
| Commissary / central preparation kitchen | null - not a distinct § 4353 category; a commissary/central kitchen is licensed as a Commercial Caterer ($260) or food service establishment depending on operation. Confirm with the Food & Lodging Program. | No stand-alone commissary fee line in the statute. |
| Bakery / food processing | null - a retail bakery is licensed as a food service establishment or Limited Operation ($140); wholesale food processing is regulated by the VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, not the Dept of Health. Confirm applicable license. | Health Dept covers food service; food manufacturing is an Agency of Agriculture program. |
| Bar / limited food service | $140/yr (Limited Operations); full-service bars serving meals use the restaurant seating tiers ($105-$1,000) | Limited food service is the Limited Operations category; a bar serving full meals is priced by seats. |
| Grocery / market with deli | null - retail food/grocery stores are licensed by the VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, not the Dept of Health; an in-store deli/food-prep area may require a Health Dept food service license. Confirm store license with the Agency of Agriculture. | Grocery/retail food = Agency of Agriculture jurisdiction in Vermont. |
| Temporary / seasonal event | $125 (Fair Stand / temporary stand, single event 3 days or less / under 4 days per year); $230 (operating 4 or more days per year) | Vermont does not prorate license fees. |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | null - § 4353 lists no stand-alone mobile-unit fee; mobile units/push carts are licensed as a Commercial Caterer ($260) or Limited Operation ($140) by menu. Confirm classification with the Food & Lodging Program. | Mobile units must meet the Mobile Unit and Push Cart Requirements. |