Local permits & fees

New Haven County, CT — Commercial Kitchen Permits

City of New Haven Health Department, Environmental Health Division (New Haven County has no county government; health regulation is by municipal/district health departments - the New Haven Health Dept covers the City of New Haven) · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Standard Food Service Establishment License (Class III/IV under CT Public Health Code; New Haven annual license)

License fee by size: <1,500 sq ft $200; 1,500-3,000 sq ft $300; >3,000 sq ft $500 per year. First year adds a $100 application fee. Catering FSE: $550 license + $100 first-year application. Micro FSE: $75.

Per the New Haven Health Department Environmental Health Fees schedule (as of July 1, 2025). Fees are the City of New Haven's; other towns in the former New Haven County set their own via their local/district health departments.

Plan review — required

$150 plan review fee (New Haven)

Turnaround: Not published. Submit menu, equipment list, layout, and commissary agreement with the application.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Itinerant Vendor Food Service Establishment License (mobile/food truck)

$250 license + $100 first-year application + $50 inspection = $400 total first year; renewals $250 + $50 inspection. Veteran itinerant vendor license $150 (with DD-214, no application/inspection fee).

Per the New Haven Environmental Health Fees schedule (July 1, 2025). Applicants must upload a current city vending permit (or receipt) from the Office of Building Inspection & Enforcement with the health application. CT requires food trucks to operate from a licensed commissary for prep, water fill, ware-washing, and wastewater disposal.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

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Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
caterer	$550.00 license (annual)	'Catering Food Service Establishments' license fee $550; plus $100 application fee. City of New Haven Health Dept schedule (CT has no county health govt; served by city/district depts).
pushcart/limited operation	$75.00 license (first year)	'Micro Food Service Establishment' (shared-kitchen operations under $250,000 annual sales); reduced renewal fees by season thereafter ($50 May-Aug, $25 Sep-Dec, $100 Jan-Apr); plus $150 application fee.
temporary/seasonal/special-event	$80.00 (1 day) / $200.00 (2-14 consecutive days)	Temporary Food Service Establishment license, single location. Covers festivals, carnivals, farmer's markets.

Connecticut statewide rules

Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.

What equipment you need

Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.

Permits & plan review, explained

The stack of approvals before you open.

Sources: nhvhealth.org · nhvhealth.org · observed 2026-08-07