Licenses and permits to open a dessert shop in Alhambra
Opening a dessert shop in Alhambra takes 13 filings with 10 agencies, starting with the Articles of Organization (California LLC) and ending with the LLC annual tax ($800). The fixed government fees add up to about $890, 7 fees are set by the space or the business and 3 filings are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
Fees and timelines at a glance
Desserts served on site make it a food service business, with the health permit and inspection that go with it. The same filings as restaurants.
| Filing | Agency | Government fee | How long | Renews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (California LLC) | California Secretary of State | $70 | Online filings are currently reviewed about 3 days after receipt (mail about 8 days), per the Oct 8, 2026 queue. | Statement of Information (LLC-12, $20) within 90 days, then every two years. |
| Statement of Information (California LLC) | California Secretary of State | $20 | Not listed | Every two years, in the anniversary month of formation and the five months before it. |
| Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) | Internal Revenue Service | Free | Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call. | Not listed |
| Seller's permit | California Department of Tax and Fee Administration | Free | Often issued the same day. | Does not expire. |
| Certified food protection manager | California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health department | Varies | Not listed | Every 5 years. |
| Food handler cards for staff | California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health department | Varies | Not listed | Every 3 years. |
| Food facility plan check | Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health | Varies | Plan review within 20 working days. | Not listed |
| City of Alhambra business license | City of Alhambra Business License Section | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Registration Form for Commercial Employers | California Employment Development Department | Free | Mail-in registration takes about 10 to 14 days; online is faster. | Not listed |
| Certificate of Occupancy (occupancy permit) | City of Alhambra Development Services Department | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Building permit for the build-out | City of Alhambra Building Division | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| Public health permit (food facility) | Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health | Varies | Plan review is completed within 20 working days after payment (10 if you pay for expedited review); the inspector needs at least 3 working days' notice for the final inspection, and the permit is issued after the permit fee is paid. | Every year. |
| LLC annual tax ($800) | California Franchise Tax Board | $800 | Paying the $800 LLC tax online through Web Pay is immediate; it's due by the 15th day of the 4th month of the LLC's tax year. | Every year, by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year. |
Articles of Organization (California LLC)
California Secretary of StateCalifornia
Filed online in bizfile Online.
- Fee
- $70
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Online filings are currently reviewed about 3 days after receipt (mail about 8 days), per the Oct 8, 2026 queue.
- Renews
- Statement of Information (LLC-12, $20) within 90 days, then every two years.
Statement of Information (California LLC)
California Secretary of StateCalifornia
Due within 90 days of forming or registering the LLC in California, then every two years. Filed in bizfile Online, or on the paper form by mail.
- Fee
- $20
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every two years, in the anniversary month of formation and the five months before it.
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal
Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, faxed or mailed
- Takes
- Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.
Seller's permit
California Department of Tax and Fee AdministrationCalifornia
Register online before your first sale; one permit for each location.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Often issued the same day.
- Renews
- Does not expire.
Certified food protection manager
California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health departmentCalifornia
An owner or employee of a place that prepares, handles or serves unpackaged perishable food passes a food protection manager exam from an accredited organization. A new place, a new owner, or a place that loses its certified person has 60 days to have one, and one person can't be certified for two locations. Keep the certificate on file for the inspector.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every 5 years.
Food handler cards for staff
California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health departmentCalifornia
Every employee who prepares, stores or handles food gets a California Food Handler Card from an accredited course within 30 days of hire; the card is good for 3 years. Anyone holding a valid food manager certificate is exempt.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every 3 years.
Food facility plan check
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental HealthLos Angeles County
Submit plans before building out; approval comes before the public health permit.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Plan review within 20 working days.
City of Alhambra business license
City of Alhambra Business License SectionAlhambra
Apply online for an in-city license with your Alhambra start date; an occupancy permit application goes with it.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Registration Form for Commercial Employers
California Employment Development DepartmentCalifornia
Register in e-Services for Business within 15 days of paying over $100 in wages.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Mail-in registration takes about 10 to 14 days; online is faster.
Certificate of Occupancy (occupancy permit)
City of Alhambra Development Services DepartmentAlhambra
Mail or bring the form to City Hall, Development Services, 111 South First Street.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
Building permit for the build-out
City of Alhambra Building DivisionAlhambra
After the county health plan check approves a food facility's plans, the city's building and safety office approves them before construction.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed in person
Public health permit (food facility)
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental HealthLos Angeles County
Apply after plan approval and before opening; an inspector visits first.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Plan review is completed within 20 working days after payment (10 if you pay for expedited review); the inspector needs at least 3 working days' notice for the final inspection, and the permit is issued after the permit fee is paid.
- Renews
- Every year.
LLC annual tax ($800)
California Franchise Tax BoardCalifornia
Paid every year by every LLC registered or doing business in California.
- Fee
- $800
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Paying the $800 LLC tax online through Web Pay is immediate; it's due by the 15th day of the 4th month of the LLC's tax year.
- Renews
- Every year, by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year.
Questions and answers
How much do the permits cost to open a dessert shop in Alhambra?
The fixed government fees add up to about $890, 7 fees are set by the space or the business and 3 filings are free. The largest fixed fee is the LLC annual tax ($800), at $800. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
How long do the permits take for a dessert shop in Alhambra?
The times the agencies give. Articles of Organization (California LLC): Online filings are currently reviewed about 3 days after receipt (mail about 8 days), per the Oct 8, 2026 queue. Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN): Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call. Seller's permit: Often issued the same day. Food facility plan check: Plan review within 20 working days. Registration Form for Commercial Employers: Mail-in registration takes about 10 to 14 days; online is faster. Public health permit (food facility): Plan review is completed within 20 working days after payment (10 if you pay for expedited review); the inspector needs at least 3 working days' notice for the final inspection, and the permit is issued after the permit fee is paid. LLC annual tax ($800): Paying the $800 LLC tax online through Web Pay is immediate; it's due by the 15th day of the 4th month of the LLC's tax year.
Which agencies issue the permits for a dessert shop in Alhambra?
The 13 filings go to 10 agencies: California Secretary of State, Internal Revenue Service, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health department, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health, City of Alhambra Business License Section, California Employment Development Department, City of Alhambra Development Services Department, City of Alhambra Building Division and California Franchise Tax Board.
What is the first filing to open a dessert shop in Alhambra?
The Articles of Organization (California LLC), with the California Secretary of State. Filed online in bizfile Online.
More on opening in Alhambra
Questions people ask
- How do I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
- How long does it take to get an EIN?
- Does a foreign-owned single-member LLC have to file Form 5472?
- How do I become an importer of record in the US?
- Do I need a seller's permit in California?
- Does a new California LLC have to pay the $800 tax in its first year?
Other businesses in Alhambra
Every filing links to the agency's own page, and every fact comes from an official form or agency page. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file. How we source and check these guides
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This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
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