Brewery / Distillery Permits & Licenses in Burlington, VT

Required if business has Vermont employees; quarterly/annual filings.

Required for all LLCs. Annual report filing also required ($35 fee, due last day of LLC's anniversary month).

Renewal required every 5 years ($20 fee).

Breweries require Manufacturer's License (Class A's); Distilleries require Manufacturer's License (Class B). On-premises sales may need First-Class License. Prerequisites include zoning approval, fire safety inspection, and food service plan if applicable.

Required for all alcohol manufacturers to report and pay state excise taxes on production.

Applies to all businesses with nexus; monthly/quarterly filing required based on revenue.

Annual rate notification; quarterly wage reports required.

Registration is done online via the Vermont Taxpayer Access Point (VTAP).

Filing frequency is assigned based on prior year taxable sales; new registrants default to monthly.

LLCs taxed as partnerships file Form VT‑104 (Pass‑Through Entity Return); LLCs taxed as corporations file Form VT‑CR.

LLCs taxed as partnerships file Form VT‑104; corporations file Form VT‑CR.

Registration is completed online via VTAP; obtain a VT‑100 (Employer Withholding Tax) account number.

New producers must file Form 5100.23 (Excise Tax Registration) before first production.

Quarterly filers must submit Form VT‑100W by the due date.

Registration is completed through the UI Online portal; obtain a UI account number.

Rates are assigned annually by the Department of Labor.

Registration provides a VT‑1000 (Alcohol Excise Tax) account number.

Returns are filed electronically via VTAP.

The license must be displayed at the primary place of business.

Only municipalities that have adopted the privilege tax require this; Burlington does.

Registration is automatic when a sales‑tax permit is obtained; separate filing may be required if the business elects to report meals tax separately.

Vermont has 242 municipalities with zoning; breweries/distilleries often restricted to industrial or commercial zones. Must check specific town zoning bylaws via town clerk. No statewide zoning permit; local only.

Not uniform across Vermont; contact specific town clerk. Burlington Code of Ordinances Ch. 19 requires business registration for alcohol producers.

Issued by local building inspector or regional manager. Breweries often need permits for tank installations, fermentation rooms.

Issued by local authority after final inspection confirming code compliance.

NFPA 1 operational permits needed for breweries (compressed gases) and distilleries (Class I/II liquids). Local fire department conducts inspections.

Local health officers enforce; plan review required for new facilities.

Regulated by local zoning bylaws; size, lighting restrictions apply.

Many towns require alarm registration to reduce false alarms.

Local ordinances govern; special use permit may be needed.

Local zoning dictates parking minima; traffic study may be required for high-volume operations.

All U.S. businesses, including LLCs, must have an EIN for tax reporting purposes.

Renewal required every two years.

Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administers NPDES permits; federal EPA oversight applies.

Many small breweries/distilleries fall below major source thresholds and may be exempt, but verification is required.

Alcohol production involves confined spaces, hazardous chemicals, and machinery—OSHA standards for these apply.

LLC defaults to partnership taxation (Form 1065) unless electing corporate treatment (Form 8832).

Application uses TTB Form 5110.24; bond may be reduced for small‑scale producers under the Small Distilled Spirits Plant (SDSP) program.

Application uses TTB Form 5110.23. Small breweries (annual production ≤ 30,000 barrels) may qualify for reduced bond requirements.

Requires accessible entrances, restrooms, and service counters; also applies to employment practices.

Must include responsible‑drinking messages where required; cannot make false health claims.

Includes minimum wage, overtime, child labor rules, and posting of required labor law posters.

Requires proper classification, packaging, labeling, and placarding per 49 CFR 172.

Due on the anniversary of the LLC’s formation; can be filed online via the Vermont Business Portal.

Renewal must be submitted electronically through the Vermont Business Portal; includes updated production figures.

Renewal includes submission of the prior year’s production and tax payment records.

Submitted electronically via the TTB’s Permits Online system.

Must be filed electronically via TTB’s e‑Excise system.

Electronic filing required via TTB’s e‑Excise system.

Filed electronically through Vermont Taxpayer Access Point (VTAP).

Electronic filing via VTAP is required.

Electronic filing via IRS e‑File is recommended.

Electronic filing via IRS e‑File.

Filed electronically via the Vermont UI portal.

Proof of coverage must be maintained on site and provided to the WVCA upon request.

Inspection includes sanitation, temperature control, and HACCP compliance.

Inspection covers fire suppression systems, emergency exits, and storage of hazardous materials.

Records must be available for TTB inspection at any time.

Records must be accessible for inspection by DLL staff.

Includes FLSA, OSHA, EEOC, and other federal notices.

Includes minimum wage, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and anti‑discrimination notices.

Report must include total gallons of beer and proof‑of‑age gallons of spirits produced.

Provides a reconciliation of quarterly excise tax payments with annual production.