Licenses and permits to open a milk tea shop in Seattle
A tea shop that makes drinks to order is a food service business, so the health permit and food safety training apply even with no kitchen. Here are the 7 filings, in the order they're made.
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.
LLC formation
Washington Secretary of State, CorporationsWA
Form the company or register a foreign company online.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Washington business license (state tax registration)
Washington Department of Revenue, Business Licensing ServiceWA
File online in My DOR, or by mail. It gives the business its UBI number and tax registration, registers trade names and city and state endorsements, and passes your details to Employment Security and Labor and Industries, which open the unemployment insurance and workers' comp accounts.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- About 10 business days; city or state endorsements can add another 2 to 3 weeks.
- Renews
- Every year, before the date printed on the license, when it carries endorsements.
Food worker cards for staff
Washington State Department of Health, with local health departmentsWA
Everyone who works with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils takes the state training and exam, online only at foodworkercard.wa.gov or through a local health department. A new worker may start before getting the card, for up to 14 days, if the employer gives food safety training.
- Fee
- $10
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- The first card is valid 2 years; renewals 3 years, or 5 with extra food safety training.
Seattle business license tax certificate
City of Seattle Finance, License and Tax AdministrationSeattle
Apply online through FileLocal once the business has its Washington UBI number, or mail the paper application with payment. A physical business location is required; a P.O. box doesn't count.
- Fee
- $73
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Online, the license can usually be printed 2 to 3 business days after payment; by mail it takes one to six weeks.
- Renews
- Every year; all certificates expire December 31.
Food establishment plan review
Public Health, Seattle and King CountySeattle
Plans are reviewed before construction, remodeling or a change of owner. Apply and pay in the Public Health Permit Center with the site plan, menu, floor plan, equipment list with make and model, the plan review questionnaire, the finish schedule and the seating layout.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- An initial review may take up to 8 to 10 weeks at current volumes.
Food service business permit
Public Health, Seattle and King CountySeattle
Once plan review is approved, submit the application to operate in the Public Health Permit Center, pay the operating fee and book the pre-operational inspection at least a week before opening. Opening without that inspection can mean closure and a fee of half the yearly permit. Every employee needs a Washington food worker card.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Book the pre-operational inspection at least 1 week before opening.
- Renews
- Every year, through the Public Health Permit Center.
More on opening in Seattle
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Seattle
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your milk tea shop in Seattle
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