Connecticut Business License: Who Needs One & How to Apply (2025)

As of 2025, Connecticut does not impose a general business license requirement; instead, business licensing is regulated on a local, state, and federal level.

This means that whether you need a Connecticut business license or not will depend on your business’s location and industry.

This article will cover:

What a Business License Is
Who Needs a Business License
How to Get a Business License
Business License Renewals
Frequently Asked Questions

Woman holding open sign after getting her business license

What Is a Business License in Connecticut?

A business license is a permit issued by a local, state, or federal body in order to allow businesses to perform a specific business activity and/or operate legitimately.

So, if there isn’t a “general business license” in Connecticut, what exactly is there?

Well, Connecticut — like the vast majority of states — imposes different requirements depending on where you’re located and what you actually do.

For example:

A restaurant in Bridgeport will need a Food Establishment License from the Bridgeport Environmental Health Department.
A real estate brokerage firm in Stamford will need a Real Estate Broker License from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
A retail clothing store in New Haven will need a Sales and Use Tax Permit from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.

Note: These examples are simplified to illustrate common licensing requirements and do not list every permit that may be needed. Operating without proper licensing can result in penalties including fines, business closure orders, and legal complications. Always research the specific requirements for your business type and location.

Do I Need a Connecticut Business License?

Well, the answer to this will ultimately depend on your business’s situation. You can have a look at our table below in order to get a general idea:

Connecticut Business Licensing at a Glance

Jurisdiction	License Type	Who Needs It & Where to Apply
Local	Health Permits, Zoning Permits, Occupancy Certificates, Industry-Specific Permits, etc.	Varies by location Contact your local municipality to determine local requirements.
State	Sales and Use Tax Permit	Businesses selling taxable goods or services. Apply via Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., real estate agents, contractors, healthcare professionals, etc.) Apply via the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection or Connecticut Department of Public Health through the eLicense portal.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food establishments, liquor, childcare, environmental permits). Apply through relevant Connecticut agencies.
Federal	Industry-Specific Licenses	Businesses involved in federally regulated activities such as agriculture, aviation, firearms, alcohol, broadcasting, or wildlife. Apply through the relevant federal agency (e.g., USDA, FAA, ATF, FCC, FWS)

*While this table is meant to give you a general idea, it’s by no means exhaustive. For all your licensing needs, we suggest either going with a professional licensing service or consulting with a business attorney.

How to Get a Business License in Connecticut

The process of obtaining a business license in Connecticut will depend on the permit in question, but generally involves completing the following steps:

1. Form a Business Structure & Obtain an EIN

We recommend formalizing your business before acquiring a business license in order to avoid potentially having to repeat this process again later down the line.

This also gives other benefits depending on the business model, such as:

Personal liability protection
Improved legitimacy
Larger access to loans and corporate finance

Recommended Business Structure

We generally recommend almost all small business owners to form an LLC. This offers personal liability protection, is extremely affordable, and offers a ton of flexibility when it comes to how it can be taxed and managed.

You can use a formation service for just $29 (excluding the $120 state fee).

Note: You should obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) after forming your LLC. You can have a look at our How to Get an EIN overview for more information.

2. Apply for the Right Business License in Connecticut

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Connecticut Local Business Licenses

Many Connecticut cities and counties require local business licenses or permits to be obtained. This can be in addition to the common state-wide licenses talked about above.

Here are some common local permits you may need:

Industry Permits: This includes health permits required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products. Food service licensing in Connecticut is handled at the local level by individual health departments (e.g., if your business is based in Bridgeport, you would apply for a Food Service Establishment License at the Bridgeport Health Department).
Zoning Permits: You may need this to ensure that your business’s location is zoned appropriately and is compliant with local laws. Connecticut requires zoning approval for most business activities (e.g., if you were based in Hartford, you would check zoning requirements with the City of Hartford Planning and Zoning Division).
Sign Permits: These can be required before installing business signage on your property or building (e.g., if you were based in New Haven, you would apply for sign permits through the City of New Haven Office of Building Inspection & Enforcement).
Fire Department Permits: These can be necessary for businesses with public access, occupancy permits, or special fire safety requirements (e.g., if your business is in Stamford, you would contact the Stamford Fire Marshal’s Office for fire safety permits).
Certificate of Occupancy: Required for most businesses before they can legally occupy a building or space. This verifies that the structure meets building codes and is safe for the intended use and is issued at the city level (e.g., if your business is in Waterbury, you would obtain this through the City of Waterbury Department of Inspections).

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, you can visit the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM).

Connecticut State Business Licenses

Below we’ve included the most common business licenses that are required on a state level.

Connecticut Seller’s Permit

The business tax registration, sometimes called a seller’s permit, is obtained online through the Connecticut Taxpayer Access Point (ATAP) website.

Apply Online With Connecticut ATAP

Apply Online With the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services

Fee: $100

Connecticut Professional Licenses

If you’re interested in a professional license, you’ll need to head over to the relevant state commission, as this is not handled on a local level. We’ve provided the licensing boards of a few of the most common professions below to get you started:

Connecticut Real Estate Commission: Oversees licensing for real estate agents, brokers, and firms involved in buying, selling, or managing real property in Connecticut.
Connecticut Medical Examining Board: Licenses physicians, physician assistants, and other medical practitioners. Handles medical license verification and disciplinary actions.
State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors: Licenses professional engineers, land surveyors, and engineering firms operating in Connecticut.
Connecticut Department of Public Health – Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section: Licenses healthcare professionals including nurses, therapists, psychologists, and other medical practitioners.
State Board of Accountancy: Licenses Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and regulates accounting firms practicing in Connecticut.
Connecticut Department of Banking: Regulates and licenses financial services professionals including mortgage brokers, debt adjusters, and insurance professionals.
Connecticut Commission of Pharmacy: Licenses pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmaceutical establishments operating in Connecticut.

For more information on how to go about getting licensed, you can have a look at StateRequirement’s in-depth licensing guides.

Industry-Specific State Licenses

Some Connecticut businesses require additional licenses based on the specific industry they operate in.

Here are some common examples of industry-specific state licenses in Connecticut:

Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – Liquor Control Division.
Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses selling used vehicles (typically more than five vehicles per year) or new vehicles. Regulated by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.
Child Care License: Required for child care centers, group child care homes (7-12 children), and family child care homes serving unrelated children. Regulated by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood – Division of Licensing.
Food Processing License: Required for businesses that manufacture, process, or package food products for wholesale distribution. Regulated by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for food processing establishments and the Connecticut Department of Public Health for certain food service operations.
Adult-Use Cannabis License: Required for businesses involved in cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, testing, transportation, or retail sales. Regulated by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – Cannabis Division.

Note: This is not a complete list. Licensing requirements vary by industry and business model. For more, we recommend visiting Connecticut Business Services.

Connecticut Environmental Permits

If your business’s industry will mean that it could negatively impact the environment, there’s a good chance you’ll need some sort of license or permit from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Examples of industries regulated here include:

Underground Storage Tank Registration
Air Quality Permits
NPDES Water Discharge Permits
Stormwater Permits
Industrial Stormwater Permits
Hazardous Waste Generator Permits
Solid Waste Management Permits
Wetlands and Stream Alteration Permits

Federal Business Licenses for Connecticut LLCs

If your business is in a federally regulated industry (which is uncommon), it’ll need to acquire the appropriate business license from the right body before starting to operate.

A full list of industries regulated at a federal level can be found below:

Agriculture: Overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Alcoholic Beverages: Overseen by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and the Local Alcohol Beverage Control Board
Aviation: Overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Firearms, Ammunitions, and Explosives: Overseen by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Fish and Wildlife: Overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Commercial Fishing: Overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service.
Maritime Transportation: Overseen by the Federal Maritime Commission.
Mining and Drilling: Overseen by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
Radio and Television Broadcasting: Overseen by the Federal Communications Commission.
Transportation and Logistics: Overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation

Connecticut Business License Renewal

Depending on your business license, you may need to renew it periodically — usually within one or two years.

Your Connecticut Sales and Use Tax Permit expires every two years and is automatically renewed and mailed to you at no cost as long as your account is active and in good standing. You do not need to take any action for renewal unless you need to update your business information or close your account.

Several of the local permits will also need to be renewed annually; this includes health department permits, signage permits, and fire department permits, which generally all need to be renewed annually.

Having said that, this will depend on both your location and the license in question.

Connecticut Business License FAQs

Connecticut doesn’t require a general business license that applies to all businesses. However, depending on your location and industry, you’ll likely need specific permits or licenses at the local, state, or federal level. Most businesses need at least a Sales and Use Tax Permit if they sell taxable goods or services in Connecticut.

This depends on your business type and location. Common requirements include: a Sales and Use Tax Permit ($100 fee), local permits (health, zoning, occupancy), professional licenses (for regulated professions through the Department of Consumer Protection or Department of Public Health), and industry-specific licenses (liquor, childcare, cannabis, environmental permits).

The Sales and Use Tax Permit costs $100. Other license costs vary significantly, local permits may range from $50 to 500, professional licenses can cost $100 to 1,000+, and specialized licenses like liquor permits can range from $1,450 to $5,000. Environmental permits from DEEP range from no fee to $25,000 depending on the type and complexity.

Your sales and use tax permit expires every two years and is automatically renewed at no cost if your account remains active. Most other licenses require periodic renewal. Professional licenses typically renew annually or every one to three years with continuing education requirements, health permits renew annually, and most local permits require annual renewal.

Generally, no. You must obtain all required licenses before beginning operations. Operating without proper licenses can result in fines ($250 for the first day plus $100 for each additional day for sales tax permits), legal action, and difficulty obtaining licenses in the future. Some licenses allow provisional operation while applications are pending, so you should check with the specific agency.

Yes, home-based businesses need the same licenses as traditional businesses, plus they must comply with local zoning laws. You’ll need a Sales and Use Tax Permit if selling taxable goods/services, any required professional licenses, and must ensure your residential area is zoned for business use. Many Connecticut municipalities require specific home occupation permits.