Connecticut · 16 statewide requirements covered
Business licences and permits in Connecticut
Connecticut charges $100 for a sales tax permit that then expires every two years — unusual on both counts. It is also one of the few states that licenses auto repair shops directly, through the DMV, for $480 across two years.
What applies everywhere in Connecticut
16 requirements are set by Connecticut itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.
| Requirement | Issued by | Fee | Applies | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division | $80 a year for an LLC, $150 for a stock corporation, $50 for a nonstock corporation | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Barbershop and Salon Licence (local, not a separate state premises fee) | Connecticut Department of Public Health, Practitioner Licensing and Investigations | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Certificate of Incorporation | Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division | $250 one-time filing for a stock corporation authorising up to 20,000 shares; a nonstock corporation is $50 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Certificate of Organization (LLC) | Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division | $120 one-time filing, including appointment of the statutory agent | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Child Care Licence | Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Division of Licensing | Fee not published — the Office of Early Childhood's application and fee pages could not be reached, so no dollar amount is recorded here rather than guessed | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Electrical Contractor Licence | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services Division | $150 to apply; renewal is $150 a year | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Food Service Establishment Licence | Connecticut Department of Public Health, Food Protection Program | $200–$500 a year, set entirely by the local health department or district rather than the state | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| General Business Licence (activity-specific, not general) | Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services Division | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Heating, Cooling and Sheet Metal Licence | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services Division | $150 to apply; renewal is $150 a year | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Home Improvement Contractor Registration | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services Division | $220 to register; renewal is $220 a year | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| New Home Construction Contractor Registration | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services Division | $360 to register, being a $240 registration fee and a $120 guaranty fund contribution | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Plumbing and Pipefitting Licence | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services Division | $150 to apply; renewal is $150 a year | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Qualified Food Operator | Connecticut Department of Public Health, Food Protection Program | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Repairer's Licence | Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, Dealers and Repairers Licensing Unit | $480 to obtain — a $140 application fee plus a further $340 once approved — for a two-year licence | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Sales and Use Tax Permit | Connecticut Department of Revenue Services | $100 one-time registration; renewal is automatic and free | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Veterinary Facility Permit (not required by Connecticut) | Connecticut Department of Public Health, Practitioner Licensing and Investigations | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
Which Connecticut city are you opening in?
We do not yet publish a Connecticut city. The statewide requirements above are verified as far as they go, but a city or county adds its own — a local business tax receipt, a food permit, a building sign-off — and we will not guess at those. The jurisdictions we do cover are listed in full.
Is there a single Connecticut business licence?
No. Connecticut has no single licence that covers every business. What you need depends on your industry, your city and your county, and most of the obligations that matter are issued locally rather than at state level.
The state-level registrations that do apply to nearly everyone are tax accounts rather than licences — which is why they are easy to miss.
Who issues permits in Connecticut?
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services DivisionHome improvement contractor registration · Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licensing5 permits
- Connecticut Secretary of the State, Business Services DivisionEntity formation · Annual reports4 permits
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Food Protection ProgramFood service licensing rules · Local health department delegation2 permits
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Practitioner Licensing and InvestigationsBarber and cosmetology licensing · Veterinary licensing2 permits
- Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, Dealers and Repairers Licensing UnitRepairer's licence · Dealer licensing1 permit
- Connecticut Department of Revenue ServicesSales and use tax permits1 permit
- Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Division of LicensingChild care centre licensing · Family child care home licensing1 permit
By industry
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.