To start a coffee business in Vermont, set up your entity with the Vermont Secretary of State (LLC or corp via the Business Portal), secure an EIN. Lock in a location and verify zoning and a certificate of occupancy, then submit a plan review to the Vermont Department of Health Food & Lodging Program for your Retail Food Establishment license (floor plan, menu, equipment specs); mobile units need a commissary letter and a Mobile Food Unit license. Require an ANSI Certified Food Protection Manager on staff, a Type I hood with UL‑300 suppression if cooking/roasting, and a Division of Fire Safety inspection. Register with the Vermont Department of Taxes for Meals & Rooms Tax on prepared coffee, Sales & Use Tax for merchandise, and any local option tax; file on assigned cadence. If roasting, confirm Air Quality permit thresholds with ANR, install proper ventilation/afterburner and combustible‑dust controls per NFPA. Set up workers’ comp and unemployment with the Department of Labor, follow Vermont paid sick leave and tipped wage rules, and meet VOSHA standards. Comply with Act 148 food‑scrap diversion, grease interceptor, and water/wastewater requirements. For alcohol coffee cocktails, license with the Department of Liquor and Lottery. Calibrate scales for beans.
