Licenses and permits to open a coffee shop in Oakland

A coffee shop that prepares drinks or food on site is a food service business, licensed and inspected like a restaurant. 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
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
Oakland zoning clearance

City of Oakland Planning and Building DepartmentOakland

Every business operating in Oakland gets one for its location before the business tax certificate, and again when it moves or changes owner. Apply in the city's Online Permit Center with the street address, parcel number and a description of the business; payment is due when you submit. Some uses first need a conditional use permit.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal

File on the agency's site How to fill it
City of Oakland business tax certificate

City of Oakland Finance Department, Business Tax OfficeOakland

Apply online or at the Business Tax Office, listing the zoning clearance and, if you sell goods, the California seller's permit. Fees are due within 30 days of the business start date.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Once the application is accepted and paid, the certificate is emailed within 5 days.
Renews
Every year; renewals are due by March 1.

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

Alameda County Environmental Health DepartmentOakland

Plans must be approved before any new construction or remodel starts. Bring one set of plans drawn at 1/4 inch per foot with equipment spec sheets, the menu, the water heater and hood worksheets, and the plan check questionnaire and worksheet with payment to 1131 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda. After approval, three sets are stamped and two go to the city for the building permits.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed in person
Takes
A first response within 20 working days, or 7 with expedited review; approved plans stay valid for half a year.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Health permit to operate a food facility

Alameda County Environmental Health DepartmentOakland

After the rough plumbing, pre-final and final inspections (book each at least 48 hours ahead), complete the permit application; the permit is issued once the fees are paid.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed in person

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 coffee shop in Oakland</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>Oakland zoning clearance (City of Oakland Planning and Building Department)</li><li>City of Oakland business tax certificate (City of Oakland Finance Department, Business Tax Office)</li><li>Registration Form for Commercial Employers (California Employment Development Department)</li><li>Food facility plan check (Alameda County Environmental Health Department)</li><li>Health permit to operate a food facility (Alameda County Environmental Health Department)</li><li>LLC annual tax ($800) (California Franchise Tax Board)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/oakland/coffee-shop.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>

Questions people ask

Other businesses in Oakland

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.

The full list for your address, in filing order
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Renewal and inspection reminders

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