Licenses and permits to open a milk tea shop in Columbus
A tea shop that makes drinks to order is a food service business, so the health permit and food safety training apply even with no kitchen. Here are the 6 filings, in the order they're made.
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.
Ohio vendor's license (sales tax)
Franklin County Auditor, for the Ohio Department of TaxationColumbus
A business with a location in Franklin County gets its sales tax account from the County Auditor: complete the ST 1 online, or mail it with the fee to 373 S High St, 21st floor, Columbus. Check with the local zoning department about the address first.
- Fee
- $50
- Filed
- Filed online
Food safety certification for the person in charge
Ohio Department of Health, with the local health districtOH
Ohio's rule asks a food service operation of risk level I to IV, first licensed after March 1, 2010, for at least one person in charge on every shift with person in charge certification; someone with manager certification in food protection doesn't need it. Columbus Public Health teaches a 4-hour person in charge course and the 16-hour ServSafe course.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Unemployment insurance employer account
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Unemployment Insurance OperationsOH
A new employer creates an OHIO UI account and registers it in the Ohio Unemployment SOURCE employer portal.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Food service plan review
Columbus Public Health, Food Protection ProgramColumbus
Needed for a new site, a major remodel, or a change of business type or owner, before licensing. Send the plan review packet with payment to EH@Columbus.gov. Covers the cities of Columbus and Worthington.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Up to 30 days once the payment and a complete application are in.
Columbus food service license
Columbus Public Health, Food Protection ProgramColumbus
Once the plans are approved and the work is done, complete the license application and ask for the final inspection at least three business days before opening; a new building needs Building Services' final approval first. The license fee is collected at the inspection and the printed license is mailed.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed in person
- Renews
- Every year, due by March 1; a 25% late penalty after that.
More on opening in Columbus
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Columbus
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
Was this page helpful?
Get the plan for your milk tea shop in Columbus
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