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File #: LM-2025-0643    Version: Name:
Type: Order Status: Passed
File created: 1/2/2026 In control: City/Town Clerk
On agenda: Final action: 3/16/2026
Title: ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERS OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN TO READ AND FILE THE COMMUNICATION CALLING FOR A WORKSHOP REGARDING THE CATERING LICENSE FEE AND A "FIRST YEAR FREE" POLICY FOR NEW HAVEN FOOD BUSINESSES.
Attachments: 1. Letter of Support (2) Workshop 1 Regarding the Catering License Fee and First Year Free Policy for New Haven Food Businesses, 2. Order (2)- Workshop 1 Regarding the Catering License Fee and First Year Free Policy for New Haven Food Businesses, 3. Best City to Start _ Presentation, 4. Overview of Caterering Licesne (2-3-2026), 5. LSwamy_FSPD_PublicTestimony_BestCitytoStart, 6. Best City to Start Testimony, 7. emailed testimonies-best city start, 8. public testimony- hhs 2.26.26, 9. Youth_Entrepreneurs_Public_Testimony, 10. hhs meeting sign up sheet 2.26.26, 11. LM-2025-0643.pdf
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ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERS OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN TO READ AND FILE THE COMMUNICATION CALLING FOR A WORKSHOP REGARDING THE CATERING LICENSE FEE AND A "FIRST YEAR FREE" POLICY FOR NEW HAVEN FOOD BUSINESSES.
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WHEREAS: the City of New Haven seeks to strengthen businesses that are seeking to launch and grow in the food business; and

WHEREAS: the City's fee includes a Food Service Establishment license application fee of $100.00 and a Food Service Establishment license catering fee of $550.00, resulting in a first-year total of $650.00 and subsequent annual renewals of $550.00 for catering licensure; and

WHEREAS: small businesses have identified the first-year cost burden associated with catering licensure as a barrier to entry for emerging food entrepreneurs; and

WHEREAS: a "First Year Free" policy for catering licenses, and related fee-structure alternatives, warrant public review and testimony to assess fiscal, administrative, compliance, equity, and public
health considerations;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the New Haven Board of Alders that a workshop is convened to examine: (i) the City's catering license fee structure; and (ii) a proposed "First Year Free" policy for New Haven food businesses seeking a catering license: and

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the workshop shall also examine: (1) the existing catering license application and annual fee structure reflected in the City's fee schedule; (2) implementation options for a "First Year Free" policy, including eligibility criteria and renewal-fee alternatives; (3) administrative feasibility, enforcement and compliance impacts, and anticipated fiscal impacts; and (4) public health and consumer protection considerations consistent with applicable state requirements; and

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that said workshop should include, but not be limited to, Alders, Economic Development, Health Department, Building Department, and other pertinent city departments necessary; and

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED...

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