Licenses and permits to open a restaurant in Los Angeles

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 10 filings, in the order they're made.

Updated October 17, 202610 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
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 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
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 site How to fill it
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 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
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 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 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/restaurant.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>

Questions people ask

Other businesses in Los Angeles

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

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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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Renewal and inspection reminders

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