Vermont licenses food at the state level, not through a local health department. Send the plans for a new or remodeled space to the Food and Lodging Program first, then the application and fee at least 30 days before opening; an inspector schedules the opening inspection, which needs a score of at least 70 with no critical violations. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops and ice cream shops are food service establishments; a bakery selling to the public holds the bakery license from the same program.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Vermont Department of Health, Food and Lodging Program.
Sources and dates
18 V.S.A. 4353 (fees, as amended by Act 57 of 2015); Department of Health retail food service establishment pages and guide to opening a food or lodging establishment. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Vermont licenses food at the state level, not through a local health department.
Yes. Vermont licenses food at the state level, not through a local health department.
Yes. Vermont licenses food at the state level, not through a local health department.
Yes. Vermont licenses food at the state level, not through a local health department.
Yes. Vermont licenses food at the state level, not through a local health department.
Yes. Vermont licenses food at the state level, not through a local health department.
Yes. Vermont licenses food at the state level, not through a local health department.
Yes. Vermont licenses food at the state level, not through a local health department.
Yes. Vermont licenses food at the state level, not through a local health department.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Vermont it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
Vermont Department of Health, Food and Lodging Program.
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a food service establishment license in Vermont?
