Restaurants need more approvals than almost any other type of business. Missing even one can get you shut down. Here's the complete list.
Restaurants get inspected regularly. If you're missing a permit when the health inspector arrives, they can shut you down on the spot — even mid-service. Apply for everything early.
The foundation. Issued by your city or county Finance or Revenue office. Typically $25–$500/year depending on city and revenue. Apply here first.
The most important one. Your local or county health department inspects your kitchen: equipment, storage, food handling, temperature controls, handwashing. You cannot legally serve food without passing this inspection. Apply as early as possible — scheduling can take weeks.
Required before you open a physical location. Your city's building or zoning department inspects the space: exits, occupancy limits, fire suppression, plumbing, electrical. Triggered when you move into a new space or change the use of an existing one. Can take weeks to months.
Register with your state's department of revenue to collect sales tax on food sales. Note: whether prepared food is taxable varies by state — hot food is usually taxable, grocery items often aren't. Free to register.
Most cities require a separate permit before installing any exterior signage. Apply to the building or planning department before your signs go up.
Issued by your state's Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) board. Expensive ($300–$14,000+ depending on state and license type), slow (3–6 months), and competitive (many cities have caps on licenses). Apply for this FIRST — before anything else. The timeline will be your bottleneck.
Many states and counties require food handlers to complete a food safety certification. Some require a food manager certification (like ServSafe) for at least one manager on duty at all times.
Your restaurant must meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements — accessible entrance, restrooms, seating. This is checked during the building inspection and CO process.
If you play copyrighted music — even background music from Spotify or a radio — you technically need licenses from performing rights organizations: ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. Many restaurants don't know about this.
Don't wait for permit #1 to arrive before applying for #2. Start all applications on the same day. The total process from application to opening is typically 3–6 months — often longer if you're doing renovations.
⚠️ Heads up: This site explains business licensing in plain English. Not legal advice. Rules change. Always verify with your actual city or state office. Affiliate disclosure.