Common Victualler License

Every food service establishment with the capabilities for cooking, preparing, and serving food and which provides seating for food consumption is required to have a Common Victualler License (CVL). Food service establishments serving take out are required to have a Take Out Food License (TFL). These licenses are issued by the Wellesley Select Board and are subject to annual renewal. 

Submission Information and Requirements

To apply, review and complete the Common Victualler Regulations and Application, or Take Out Food License Regulations and Application and include the required attachments:

• Completed, signed application
• Brief statement of the business/type of establishment
• Full menu
• Architectural-type full layout drawing of the interior, noting all seats, kitchen equipment, storage, bathrooms, etc. NOTE: If there is a proposal for outdoor seating, the layout of outdoor seating in full plans including proof of legal occupancy for the outdoor area must be included.
• Workers Compensation Affidavit Form
• Copy of Certificate of Insurance that shows proof of:
  • General Liability amounts 
  • Workers Compensation amounts
• Licensee contact sheet including all names, email addresses, and phone numbers for owners & on-site managers. If the mailing address for renewal information is different than the restaurant address, it must be clearly stated.
• CORI forms must be completed for ALL owners and on-site managers, all forms must be notarized
• Fee payable to the Town of Wellesley ($50)
• If the establishment is changing from a retail space to a restaurant space, per the regulations, a traffic study MUST be included with the application. 
  • If the space is under 1,200 square feet, the applicant may request a waiver of the Traffic Study requirement from the Select Board Office.
• If the establishment is changing ownership or business type, an external grease trap may be required from the Department of Public Works. Contact dpw@wellesleyma.agov for information.

Additional Contacts for Applicants

Applicants may be required to contact the additional Town of Wellesley departments below. 

• Health Department for Food Establishment Licensure information. The Health Department is located at 90 Washington Street, Wellesley MA. Permitting information can be found online at:  https://wellesleyma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1073
• Design Review Board for signage approval. The Design Review Board Staff is located within the Planning Department at 888 Worcester Street, Wellesley MA. Permitting information and bylaw information can be found online at: https://wellesleyma.gov/348/Design-Review-Board
• Building Department for any construction related questions or permits. The Building Department is located at 888 Worcester Street, Wellesley MA. Building Department permitting information can be found online at: https://wellesleyma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1071
• Department of Public Works Engineering Office for exterior Grease Trap information and requirements. The Department of Public Works is located at 20 Municipal Way (781) 235-7600 ex 3310.  Grease traps, external and internal, are required at all restaurant establishments.

Initial plan reviews and preliminary approvals must be obtained before license applications are submitted to the Select Board Office. Completed and signed application forms and attachments, along with a check for the application fee should be delivered to the Select Board's Office, 3rd Floor, Wellesley Town Hall, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Once application materials are received and reviewed for completeness, an interview will be scheduled with the Executive Director to discuss the applicant's plans. The applicant will then be required to appear before the Select Board during a regular public meeting. Applicants will be notified by telephone of the date and time of the interview. The Select Board reserves the right to postpone license approval until all issues and concerns raised by the Board are addressed by the applicant to the Board's satisfaction; and also reserves the right to deny license approval if the applicant fails to meet the application requirements, or does not/cannot resolve the issues and concerns raised by the Board.

PLEASE NOTE: Once the Select Board approves the CVL or TFL application the applicant must obtain all required Building, Health, Fire, and Design Review final approvals (i.e., permits, reviews, and/or inspections) before a license is issued. If the applicant fails to obtain a required approval at any point in the process, the license will be withheld until the issue or problem is resolved to the satisfaction of the appropriate approving authority.

Businesses considering serving alcohol should review the Town of Wellesley Alcohol License information. 

For Licensing questions, please email the Select Board Office or call 781-431-1019 ext. 2219.