Food Licensing & Inspection

Licensing & Inspection of Food Establishments

We seek to protect the public while maintaining New Haven’s quality standards for food preparation and service. To achieve this we work with owners and operators of food service establishments within the city limits to uphold the 2022 FDA Model Food Code and the City Code of Ordinances.

2025 License Renewals

Food service and itinerant vendor licenses expired on May 1, 2025. If you have not yet renewed your license, you are past due. After completing a re-application online, please call 203-946-8174 during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm.

For help using CitySquared, please see the How To Apply and Renew Your License section below.

Staff are available to assist with applications during normal business hours.

Licenses

All food service businesses must complete an application for a license online with CitySquared.

How to Apply and Renew Your License

Renewing your licenses follows the same process as applying for a new license. If you need help, use these how-to guides.

Food service establishments: English | Español

Itinerant vendors: English | Español

Or, follow along with this walkthrough video.

Food service establishments: English | Español

Staff are available to assist with applications during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. For support logging into CitySquared, email MunicitySupport@ICC-CDS.com or call 855-436-5500.

How Licensing Works

These step-by-step guides explain how the food licensing process in New Haven works.

Food service establishments: English

Itinerant vendors: English

Temporary food service establishments: English

Resources for Food Service Establishment Owners/Operators

Check the 2022 FDA Food Code

Download the CT DPH document to request a variance

See guidance on the acidification of sushi rice

Find resources for Certified Food Protection Managers

View a sample of the Food Service Inspection Form

See an overview of the Reciprocal Itinerant Vendor Program permitted in New Haven

Polystyrene (Styrofoam) Ordinance

As of August 2023, the ban on the use of polystyrene (Styrofoam) by food service establishments is being enforced. See notices below for more information.

To report a concern regarding a food service establishment, the public may contact the New Haven Health Department at 203-946-8174 or the Environmental Health division at environmentalhealth@newhavenct.onmicrosoft.com.