Health-department requirements

Opening a Kitchen in Connecticut? Equipment You’re Required to Install

The equipment a Connecticut health department expects — from the FDA Food Code — plus who licenses you here and how plan review works.
Verified from primary sources. Educational, not legal advice — always confirm with your local health department.

What every commercial kitchen must have

These come from the FDA Food Code, which nearly every state adopts. A health inspector checks for them on plan review and at inspection — regardless of your state:

Also required in most kitchens: a mop/service sink (cleaning-water disposal), mechanical exhaust hood (Type I over grease/smoke), adequate hot water, indirect waste/air gaps on food & warewashing equipment, and a grease interceptor where local plumbing code requires it.

How Connecticut licenses & reviews you

Licensing authority: 71 local health departments + 19 health districts, uniform CT Public Health Code. Regime: Local + opt-in reciprocity.

License at home jurisdiction, then apply for reciprocity in any town whose LHD signed the agreement. Reciprocity does NOT cover zoning, parking, fire or vending zones. Hartford runs a separate DDS Mobile Vendor permit.

Mobile/food-truck reciprocity: YES - DPH Itinerant Food Vendor Reciprocal Licensing

New builds and remodels almost always require a plan review and a pre-opening inspection. Submit your equipment layout early — the sink count, hood, and hot-water sizing are the usual sticking points.

Local dealers who can spec a compliant kitchen

See restaurant-equipment dealers in Connecticut → — many do design + fabrication and know local plan-review requirements.