Licenses and permits to open a grocery store in Bellevue
Opening a grocery store in Bellevue takes 6 filings with 6 agencies, starting with the LLC formation and ending with the food service business permit. The fixed government fees add up to about $129, 3 fees are set by the space or the business and 1 filing is free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
Fees and timelines at a glance
Selling packaged food adds food rules on top of a store's usual registrations.
| Filing | Agency | Government fee | How long | Renews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | Washington Secretary of State, Corporations | Varies | Not listed | Not listed |
| 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 |
| Washington business license (state tax registration) | Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service | Varies | About 10 business days; city or state endorsements can add another 2 to 3 weeks. | Every year, before the date printed on the license, when it carries endorsements. |
| Food worker cards for staff | Washington State Department of Health, with local health departments | $10 | Not listed | The first card is valid 2 years; renewals 3 years, or 5 with extra food safety training. |
| City of Bellevue business license | City of Bellevue Finance, Tax Division | $119 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Food service business permit | Public Health, Seattle and King County | Varies | Book the pre-operational inspection at least 1 week before opening. | Every year, through the Public Health Permit Center. |
LLC formation
Washington Secretary of State, CorporationsWashington State
Form the company or register a foreign company online.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
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.
Washington business license (state tax registration)
Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing ServiceWashington State
File online in My DOR, or by mail. It gives the business its UBI number and tax registration, registers trade names and city and state endorsements, and passes your details to Employment Security and Labor and Industries, which open the unemployment insurance and workers' comp accounts.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- About 10 business days; city or state endorsements can add another 2 to 3 weeks.
- Renews
- Every year, before the date printed on the license, when it carries endorsements.
Food worker cards for staff
Washington State Department of Health, with local health departmentsWashington State
Everyone who works with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils takes the state training and exam, online only at foodworkercard.wa.gov or through a local health department. A new worker may start before getting the card, for up to 14 days, if the employer gives food safety training.
- Fee
- $10
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- The first card is valid 2 years; renewals 3 years, or 5 with extra food safety training.
City of Bellevue business license
City of Bellevue Finance, Tax DivisionBellevue
Needed once Bellevue gross receipts reach $4,000 a year (or for a regulated activity), after the Washington business license; apply through FileLocal. It doesn't expire, but tax returns are due on the assigned schedule.
- Fee
- $119
- Filed
- Filed online
Food service business permit
Public Health, Seattle and King CountyKC
Once plan review is approved, submit the application to operate in the Public Health Permit Center, pay the operating fee and book the pre-operational inspection at least a week before opening. Opening without that inspection can mean closure and a fee of half the yearly permit. Every employee needs a Washington food worker card.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Book the pre-operational inspection at least 1 week before opening.
- Renews
- Every year, through the Public Health Permit Center.
Questions and answers
How much do the permits cost to open a grocery store in Bellevue?
The fixed government fees add up to about $129, 3 fees are set by the space or the business and 1 filing is free. The largest fixed fee is the City of Bellevue business license, at $119. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
How long do the permits take for a grocery store in Bellevue?
The times the agencies give. Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN): Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call. Washington business license (state tax registration): About 10 business days; city or state endorsements can add another 2 to 3 weeks. Food service business permit: Book the pre-operational inspection at least 1 week before opening.
Which agencies issue the permits for a grocery store in Bellevue?
The 6 filings go to 6 agencies: Washington Secretary of State, Corporations, Internal Revenue Service, Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service, Washington State Department of Health, with local health departments, City of Bellevue Finance, Tax Division and Public Health, Seattle and King County.
What is the first filing to open a grocery store in Bellevue?
The LLC formation, with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations. Form the company or register a foreign company online.
More on opening in Bellevue
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Bellevue
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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Get the plan for your grocery store in Bellevue
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.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders