Licenses and permits to open a restaurant in Irvine

A restaurant files the most: company and tax registration, then the build-out, the health permit and the inspections that come with it. Here are the 9 filings, in the order they're made.

Updated October 17, 20269 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
City of Irvine business license

City of Irvine Community Development, Business LicensingIrvine

A city tax rather than a regulatory license: apply online or at the public counter, confirm first that the use is allowed at the address, and display the license at the business.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Irvine doesn't publish how long it takes to issue the license; the online application takes minutes, and new businesses must apply within 60 days of starting to avoid late fees.
Renews
Every 12 months from the first day of the application month.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food facility plan check

Orange County Health Care Agency, Environmental HealthIrvine

Submit the plan check online with three sets of plans and specifications before construction; the fee is set at conditional approval.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
The initial plan review usually takes 20 working days.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food facility health permit

Orange County Health Care Agency, Environmental HealthIrvine

Every food facility that stores, prepares, packages, serves or vends food needs a valid health permit; book inspections 5 working days ahead.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Paper form, mailed
Takes
Initial plan review usually takes 20 working days; inspections must be requested 5 working days ahead, and the health permit is issued once the final inspection passes.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a restaurant in Irvine</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>Articles of Organization (California LLC) (California Secretary of State)</li><li>Seller's permit (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration)</li><li>Certified food protection manager (California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health department)</li><li>City of Irvine business license (City of Irvine Community Development, Business Licensing)</li><li>Registration Form for Commercial Employers (California Employment Development Department)</li><li>Food facility plan check (Orange County Health Care Agency, Environmental Health)</li><li>Food facility health permit (Orange County Health Care Agency, Environmental Health)</li><li>LLC annual tax ($800) (California Franchise Tax Board)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/irvine/restaurant.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>

Questions people ask

Other businesses in Irvine

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.

Get the plan for your restaurant in Irvine

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

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