Permits for a Brewery in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Core Pennsylvania brewery license authorizing manufacture, sale, and distribution of malt and brewed beverages. Permits on-premises taproom sales and off-premises distribution. If operating a restaurant/hotel on the same premises, must brew at least 250 barrels/year. Not subject to quota — new licenses available directly from PLCB.

Voluntary PLCB certification program demonstrating responsible alcohol management practices. Consists of four prerequisites: Owner/Manager Training, Server/Seller Training, New Employee Orientation, and Signage. While voluntary, RAMP certification significantly reduces fines for selling to minors (from $1,000–$5,000 down to $50–$1,000 if certified and no prior violations in 4 years).

General business license required for all businesses operating within Bethlehem city limits. Registers the business with the municipality for local tax and regulatory purposes. Must be obtained before commencing operations.

Federal tax identification number required for all businesses that have employees, operate as a corporation or partnership, file employment taxes, or have a Keogh plan. Required prerequisite for PA-100 registration, liquor license applications, and opening business bank accounts. Free to obtain directly from the IRS.

Most Pennsylvania municipalities and some school districts levy a business privilege tax (BPT) or mercantile tax on gross receipts. Rates are typically up to 1 mill (0.1%) for wholesale and 1.5 mills (0.15%) for retail/restaurants under the Local Tax Enabling Act. Philadelphia has its own Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT). Registration and initial license fees vary by municipality.

Unified registration form used by Pennsylvania businesses to register for all required state tax accounts with the Department of Revenue and Department of Labor & Industry. Covers sales tax, employer withholding tax, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, corporation taxes, and more. Can be completed online at myPATH or via paper form PA-100.

All Pennsylvania employers who pay wages to employees must register for Unemployment Compensation (UC) tax within 30 days of employees performing covered services. UC contributions fund the state unemployment insurance system. Employer contribution rates vary based on experience rating (new employer rate is approximately 3.6889%). Registration is completed through the PA-100 / myPATH system.

Pennsylvania law requires EVERY employer with at least one employee (full-time or part-time) to carry workers' compensation insurance. Coverage can be purchased from private carriers licensed in PA, or through the State Workers' Insurance Fund (SWIF) as a last resort. PA rates have decreased 54% since 2013. Failing to carry coverage is a criminal offense.

Required for new construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, or change of occupancy of any commercial building under Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code (UCC). Must be obtained before work begins. Application is submitted to the local building code official. Scope-dependent — not needed for minor cosmetic work.

Confirms that the premises is properly zoned for the intended business type, meets building code requirements, and has passed all required inspections (fire, plumbing, electrical, building). Required when doing new construction, major renovations, or changing the use of a space (e.g., residential to commercial). Issued at the municipal level after inspection.

Required inspection by the local fire marshal or fire department to verify compliance with fire codes, including proper exits, fire suppression systems (commercial kitchen hood/ansul systems), fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, maximum occupancy signage, and sprinkler systems. May be required annually or as part of the Certificate of Occupancy process. Specific requirements vary by municipality.

In 7 Pennsylvania counties (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Montgomery, and Philadelphia), the county health department — not the PA Department of Agriculture — issues food establishment permits and conducts inspections. Requirements and fees vary by county. Businesses in these counties must contact their county health department directly.

Every employee who prepares or serves food in Pennsylvania (cooks, servers, bartenders, baristas, etc.) must obtain a food handler's certificate within 30 days of hire. PA law caps the cost of the test and certificate at $15 to ensure accessibility. This is a per-employee requirement separate from the manager-level Food Safety Manager Certification.

Pennsylvania requires every retail food service establishment to have at least one supervisory employee holding a nationally recognized (ANSI-accredited) food safety manager certification such as ServSafe. Effective since January 22, 2011. New facilities must comply within 90 days. Facilities must comply within 3 months of losing their certified employee due to turnover.

Required for all retail food facilities including restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries that serve food. Issued by PA Department of Agriculture or county health department (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties have their own health departments). Application must be submitted at least 60 days prior to opening. Non-transferable between businesses.

Required for installation of exterior signs including billboards, illuminated signs, banners, projecting signs, awning signs, and logos. Governed by local municipal sign ordinances which regulate size, height, illumination, placement, and number of signs. Each municipality has different requirements. Historical district locations may have additional restrictions. Some small/temporary signs may be exempt.

Required for installing, replacing, or modifying exterior business signage within Bethlehem. Must comply with the city sign ordinance covering size, height, illumination, and placement. Applications typically require scaled drawings.

All Pennsylvania employers must register to withhold PA personal income tax (flat 3.07%) from employee wages. Registration is completed through the PA-100 / myPATH system. An 8-digit withholding account number is issued, which is distinct from the federal EIN. Quarterly reporting and payment is required.

Pennsylvania employers must also withhold local earned income tax from employee wages. Rates vary by municipality (typically 1%–3.9%, with Philadelphia's wage tax being the highest at ~3.75% for residents). Employer registration is with the local tax collector for the municipality where the business is located.

Required for all businesses that sell taxable goods or services in Pennsylvania. PA sales tax rate is 6% statewide (8% in Philadelphia, 7% in Allegheny County). Covers sales of food, beverages, merchandise, and prepared foods. Restaurants must collect sales tax on prepared food and beverages. Obtained through the PA-100 registration process on myPATH.

Required when the intended business use (bar, restaurant, brewery, winery) is not permitted by-right in the zoning district but may be allowed subject to conditions. Involves an application through the local planning commission or zoning hearing board and typically requires a public hearing. Neighbors and nearby businesses may raise concerns. More expensive and time-consuming than a standard zoning permit.

Confirms that the intended business use (restaurant, bar, brewery, winery) is permitted under the local zoning ordinance for the specific property. Must be obtained before opening or changing the use of a property. Restaurants and bars are generally permitted in commercial or mixed-use zones, but restrictions vary by municipality. Required by PLCB before issuing a liquor license.