Licenses and permits to open a coffee shop in Sacramento

A coffee shop that prepares drinks or food on site is a food service business, licensed and inspected like a restaurant. 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 Sacramento business tax certificate (Business Operations Tax)

City of Sacramento Finance Department, Revenue DivisionSacramento

Every business operating in the City of Sacramento pays this yearly tax; the city issues no separate business license. Apply online, by email to finance@cityofsacramento.org, by mail or in person, and pay when you apply. The city sends the application to Community Development to confirm the zoning, then mails the certificate.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every year.

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 review

Sacramento County Environmental Management DepartmentSacramento

Needed to build a new food facility or convert a space into one. Mail or bring the application with one complete set of scaled plans and equipment spec sheets to 11080 White Rock Rd, Suite 200, Rancho Cordova, or email EHPlanReview@SacCounty.gov to submit electronically; three sets are needed at final approval. You're directed to the application to operate when you submit the plans.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Paper form, mailed
Takes
The county doesn't publish a review time; the application and its approval expire a year after submittal.

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

Sacramento County Environmental Management DepartmentSacramento

Submit the application to operate and pay the fees before the place opens. A certified food manager is needed within 60 days of opening, and every food employee needs a current food handler card.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Paper form, mailed
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 coffee shop in Sacramento</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 Sacramento business tax certificate (Business Operations Tax) (City of Sacramento Finance Department, Revenue Division)</li><li>Registration Form for Commercial Employers (California Employment Development Department)</li><li>Food facility plan review (Sacramento County Environmental Management Department)</li><li>Health permit to operate a food facility (Sacramento County Environmental Management Department)</li><li>LLC annual tax ($800) (California Franchise Tax Board)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/sacramento/coffee-shop.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>

Questions people ask

Other businesses in Sacramento

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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