Licenses and permits to open a bakery in Los Angeles

1. 1

   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 siteHow to fill it

2. 2

   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 siteHow to fill it

3. 3

   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 siteHow to fill it

4. 4

   City of Los Angeles business tax registration

   City of Los Angeles Office of FinanceCity of Los Angeles

   Register online within 30 days of starting business in the city.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   Temporary certificate issued immediately; permanent one mailed in 4 to 6 weeks.

   Renews

   Renew every year.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

5. 5

   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 siteHow to fill it

6. 6

   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.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

7. 7

   Building permit and Certificate of Occupancy

   Los Angeles Department of Building and SafetyCity of Los Angeles

   Tenant improvements and changes of use go through plan check; a new use gets a new Certificate of Occupancy.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed on the agency's portal

   Takes

   Plans are returned within weeks, depending on workload.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

8. 8

   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 siteHow to fill it

9. 9

   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.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

10. 10

    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 siteHow to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a bakery in Los Angeles</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>City of Los Angeles business tax registration (City of Los Angeles Office of Finance)</li><li>Certified food protection manager (California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health department)</li><li>Food facility plan check (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health)</li><li>Building permit and Certificate of Occupancy (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety)</li><li>Registration Form for Commercial Employers (California Employment Development Department)</li><li>Public health permit (food facility) (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health)</li><li>LLC annual tax ($800) (California Franchise Tax Board)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/los-angeles/bakery.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Los Angeles

• How much permits cost to open in Los Angeles
• How long permits take in Los Angeles
• Opening in Los Angeles as a foreign company
• Build-out and occupancy permits in Los Angeles
• Importing goods into Los Angeles
• Renewals and annual filings in Los Angeles

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 Los Angeles

• Milk tea and bubble tea shops
• Coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Hot pot restaurants
• Dessert shops
• Grocery stores
• Retail stores
• Cosmetics stores
• Toy stores
• Importers and online sellers
• Warehouses and 3PLs

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