One of the hardest jobs of opening a food service business is obtaining all of the required permits and licenses to operate. However, it is a necessary task because without them you are not allowed to open and serve the public. The requirement of obtaining a license and permit is set up to ensure that employees, customers and residents of the area are kept safe and that the business is operating properly.

There are some permits that will be required regardless of where you live, but some will vary depending on your location and the choices you make for your business. Contacting the local agencies in charge of the licenses and permits will help you learn exactly which ones you need to obtain and what the process will be. Here are some of the permits you may need:

Building or Zoning Permit: These permits will definitely be required if you are building a business from scratch instead of purchasing a building that was already established. They may also be required if you are planning to do any construction on an already established building. You should contact your city zoning officials to determine whether or not you have to aquire this permit.

Business License: Most cities, counties and states will require you to have a business license in order to operate a food establishment of any type. The license that you need will vary depending upon the area that you live in. The city or county clerk can direct you towards which license you will need and how to go about obtaining it.

Federal Employer Identification Number: Though this is not a permit, it is a requirement that you must adhere to. Prior to opening your food service business you must contact the IRS and obtain your federal employer identification number. This will help the government to identify you as a business for tax purposes.

Food Handler Permit: It is required by the FDA that someone be in the establishment with a food handler permit at all times while it is open. This is often the owner or manager of the business. This person should be knowledgeable about all food safety concerns and be prepared to answer questions if needed.

Health Permit: The Department of Health will require that you have a permit prior to opening up your business to the public. This often takes over a month to acquire and requires you to submit detailed information in order to obtain it. You will need to have a floor plan and your menu set up before you apply. It will also be required to pass inspection.

Liquor License: If you plan to serve any alcoholic beverages at your establishment, you will need a liquor license. The requirements for the license will vary based on your location. You may need a separate license for each type of alcohol you are serving. It is important that you obtain this license before going ahead with any plans of serving alcohol on site.

Music License: If you plan to provide any copyrighted music, regardless of the method, you will need a music license. This license is required even if your only music is karaoke. Failure to have one can result in substantial fines.

Fire Certificate: As a part of the process of being inspected, the fire department will inspect your property for fire hazards and dangers. Once you have been approved they will issue you a fire certificate.

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