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15 permits · verified 2026-10-09

What permits do you need to open a coffee shop in Calhoun County Al?

In short

A coffee shop in Calhoun County Al, AL has 4 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 11 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. Calhoun County Commissioner of Licenses charges $8.50 a year, combined state and county total under Ala. Code §40-12-153 (October 2022 ALDOR Handbook), sandwich shops, barbecue stands and hamburger or hot dog stands for the sandwich shop / stand license (ala. code §40-12-153). 8 of the 15 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-09 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.

Permits particular to a coffee shop in Calhoun County Al

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Grease Trap Requirement and Permit (Onsite Sewage Sites)only if it applies to youCalhoun County Health Department (Alabama Department of Public Health, Northeastern District)The Calhoun County Health Department's Environmental Services page lists grease trap permits but prints no fee, and ADPH Rule 420-3-1-.12(3) states that 'ADPH or the LHD may assess a fee where fee authorization exists'. Call the Calhoun County Environmental Department at (256) 237-4324 for the amount due.issued per grease trap installation with the onsite sewage permit2026-10-09
Food Service Establishment Health PermitCalhoun County Health Department (Alabama Department of Public Health, Northeastern District)The Calhoun County Health Department, an Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Northeastern District field office, requires an annual food service permit for every restaurant, coffee shop, food truck and food-serving childcare facility, but no dollar fee for that permit has ever been published on the department's own site or archived anywhere online. A fee-schedule page exists for the neighboring Etowah County Health Department, within the same ADPH district, but each county department in the district sets and publishes its own schedule rather than sharing a district-wide figure, so Etowah's amounts do not apply to Calhoun. Call the Calhoun County Health Department, Environmental Services, at (256) 237-4324 to get the current fee before applying.annual, permits expire September 302026-09-28
Sandwich Shop / Stand License (Ala. Code §40-12-153)only if it applies to youCalhoun County Commissioner of Licenses$8.50 a year, combined state and county total under Ala. Code §40-12-153 (October 2022 ALDOR Handbook), sandwich shops, barbecue stands and hamburger or hot dog standsannual, October 1 to September 30; due October 1 and delinquent November 1, with a 15 percent penalty plus interest; a new business starting after April 1 pays half the year's amount2026-10-09
Store License (Ala. Code §40-12-315, state portion only)only if it applies to youCalhoun County Commissioner of Licenses$2 a year for one store, state license only under Ala. Code §40-12-315 (October 2022 ALDOR Handbook); each additional store in a chain: 2-5 stores $16, 6-10 $23.50, 11-20 $38.50, over 20 $113.50annual, October 1 to September 30; due October 1 and delinquent November 1, with a 15 percent penalty plus interest2026-10-09
Soft Drink / Coffee Dispensing License (Ala. Code §40-12-69)only if it applies to youCalhoun County Commissioner of LicensesCombined state and county total under Ala. Code §40-12-69(b) for soft drinks or coffee sold from taps or other dispensing devices, by city population (October 2022 ALDOR Handbook): 25,000 or more $38.50; 15,000 to under 25,000 $31, which covers Anniston (21,564) and Oxford (17,553 in Calhoun County plus 4,516 in Talladega County on ALDOR's Census 2020 by City list); 5,000 to under 15,000 $23.50, which covers Jacksonville (14,385); 'less than 5,000 and in unincorporated places' $16, which covers Piedmont, Weaver, Ohatchee, Hobson City and every unincorporated location. Selling soft drinks only in bottles, cans or other sealed containers falls under §40-12-69(a) at $4.75; the (b) license also covers sealed-container sales.annual, October 1 to September 30; due October 1 and delinquent November 1, with a 15 percent penalty plus interest; a new business starting after April 1 pays half the year's amount2026-10-09
Food Establishment PermitAlabama Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Milk and Lodging$50–$650 a year, set by the county health department, not by the stateannual — expiring when the privilege licenses expire, or on a date the health officer sets2026-09-03
Certified Food Protection Manageronly if it applies to youAlabama Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Milk and LodgingNo fee5 years for a certification; 12 months for attendance without certification2026-09-03

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

Local permits that apply to every type of business in Calhoun County Al

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Onsite Sewage (Septic) System Permit to Install or Repaironly if it applies to youCalhoun County Health Department (Alabama Department of Public Health, Northeastern District)Varies — formula on the Calhoun County Al pageissued per installation or repair of an onsite sewage system2026-10-09
Calhoun County General Business/Privilege LicenseCalhoun County Commissioner of LicensesVaries — formula on the Calhoun County Al pageannual, license year October 1 to September 30, renewal window October 1-312026-09-28

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

AL registrations that apply to every type of business

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
State and County Business Privilege Licenseonly if it applies to youAlabama Department of Revenue, Business and License Tax DivisionVaries — formula on the AL pageannual — 1 October to 30 September, delinquent 1 November2026-09-03
Certificate of Formation (LLC)only if it applies to youAlabama Secretary of State, Business Services$200 one-time filingperpetual — Alabama abolished the annual report in 20242026-09-03
Certificate of Incorporationonly if it applies to youAlabama Secretary of State, Business Services$200 one-time filingperpetual — Alabama abolished the annual report in 20242026-09-03
Corporation Annual Report (abolished)only if it applies to youAlabama Secretary of State, Business ServicesNo feenot applicable — the filing no longer exists2026-09-03
Business Privilege Taxonly if it applies to youAlabama Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax DivisionVaries — formula on the AL pageannual — due when the matching federal return is due2026-09-03
Sales Tax LicenseAlabama Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax DivisionNo feeannual — renew online between 1 November and 31 December2026-09-03

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

How much does it actually cost to permit a coffee shop in Calhoun County Al?

There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 15 records listed for a coffee shop in Calhoun County Al, AL, 4 apply to every business of this type and 11 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.

8 of the 15 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 3 have no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:

Grease Trap Requirement and Permit (Onsite Sewage Sites): The Calhoun County Health Department's Environmental Services page lists grease trap permits but prints no fee, and ADPH Rule 420-3-1-.12(3) states that 'ADPH or the LHD may assess a fee where fee authorization exists'. Call the Calhoun County Environmental Department at (256) 237-4324 for the amount due.

Food Service Establishment Health Permit: The Calhoun County Health Department, an Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Northeastern District field office, requires an annual food service permit for every restaurant, coffee shop, food truck and food-serving childcare facility, but no dollar fee for that permit has ever been published on the department's own site or archived anywhere online. A fee-schedule page exists for the neighboring Etowah County Health Department, within the same ADPH district, but each county department in the district sets and publishes its own schedule rather than sharing a district-wide figure, so Etowah's amounts do not apply to Calhoun. Call the Calhoun County Health Department, Environmental Services, at (256) 237-4324 to get the current fee before applying.

Soft Drink / Coffee Dispensing License (Ala. Code §40-12-69): Combined state and county total under Ala. Code §40-12-69(b) for soft drinks or coffee sold from taps or other dispensing devices, by city population (October 2022 ALDOR Handbook): 25,000 or more $38.50; 15,000 to under 25,000 $31, which covers Anniston (21,564) and Oxford (17,553 in Calhoun County plus 4,516 in Talladega County on ALDOR's Census 2020 by City list); 5,000 to under 15,000 $23.50, which covers Jacksonville (14,385); 'less than 5,000 and in unincorporated places' $16, which covers Piedmont, Weaver, Ohatchee, Hobson City and every unincorporated location. Selling soft drinks only in bottles, cans or other sealed containers falls under §40-12-69(a) at $4.75; the (b) license also covers sealed-container sales.

Food Establishment Permit: $50–$650 a year, set by the county health department, not by the state

The other 4 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the Calhoun County Al permits page and the AL state page.

Which offices issue these permits in Calhoun County Al?

Permits for a coffee shop in Calhoun County Al, AL come from 6 separate offices: Calhoun County Health Department (Alabama Department of Public Health, Northeastern District), Calhoun County Commissioner of Licenses, Alabama Department of Revenue, Business and License Tax Division, Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services, Alabama Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax Division, Alabama Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Milk and Lodging. No single office issues them all, which is why an opening means filing in several places rather than one.

What does a coffee shop need in Calhoun County Al that other businesses do not?

Sandwich Shop / Stand License (Ala. Code §40-12-153)

Under Ala. Code §40-12-153 each sandwich shop, barbecue stand or pit, hamburger or hot dog stand pays $8.50, the combined state and county total printed in the ALDOR Handbook of Privilege and Store Licenses (October 2022). The Handbook limits this license to businesses serving sandwiches with prepackaged sides only; one serving prepared sides needs the §40-12-91 delicatessen license (all food taken away) or the §40-12-151 restaurant license (seating provided), and a Health Department certificate is required before issue. ALDOR's Quick Reference Guide lists §153 as an add-on for coffee shops and food trucks, so it applies when the menu fits. Buy it from the Calhoun County Commissioner of Licenses (256-241-2900), which under Ala. Code §45-8-200.05 issues all licenses except marriage licenses. City licenses are separate.

Shared with other businesses in Calhoun County Al

  • Grease Trap Requirement and Permit (Onsite Sewage Sites) — Calhoun County Health Department (Alabama Department of Public Health, Northeastern District), The Calhoun County Health Department's Environmental Services page lists grease trap permits but prints no fee, and ADPH Rule 420-3-1-.12(3) states that 'ADPH or the LHD may assess a fee where fee authorization exists'. Call the Calhoun County Environmental Department at (256) 237-4324 for the amount due., issued per grease trap installation with the onsite sewage permit. Also required for restaurants and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
  • Food Service Establishment Health Permit — Calhoun County Health Department (Alabama Department of Public Health, Northeastern District), The Calhoun County Health Department, an Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Northeastern District field office, requires an annual food service permit for every restaurant, coffee shop, food truck and food-serving childcare facility, but no dollar fee for that permit has ever been published on the department's own site or archived anywhere online. A fee-schedule page exists for the neighboring Etowah County Health Department, within the same ADPH district, but each county department in the district sets and publishes its own schedule rather than sharing a district-wide figure, so Etowah's amounts do not apply to Calhoun. Call the Calhoun County Health Department, Environmental Services, at (256) 237-4324 to get the current fee before applying., annual, permits expire September 30. Also required for restaurants, food trucks and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
  • Store License (Ala. Code §40-12-315, state portion only) — Calhoun County Commissioner of Licenses, $2 a year for one store, state license only under Ala. Code §40-12-315 (October 2022 ALDOR Handbook); each additional store in a chain: 2-5 stores $16, 6-10 $23.50, 11-20 $38.50, over 20 $113.50, annual, October 1 to September 30; due October 1 and delinquent November 1, with a 15 percent penalty plus interest. Also required for retail stores, restaurants, auto repair shops, veterinary clinics, fitness studios and salons and barbers; what it involves is set out on the auto repair shops page.
  • Soft Drink / Coffee Dispensing License (Ala. Code §40-12-69) — Calhoun County Commissioner of Licenses, Combined state and county total under Ala. Code §40-12-69(b) for soft drinks or coffee sold from taps or other dispensing devices, by city population (October 2022 ALDOR Handbook): 25,000 or more $38.50; 15,000 to under 25,000 $31, which covers Anniston (21,564) and Oxford (17,553 in Calhoun County plus 4,516 in Talladega County on ALDOR's Census 2020 by City list); 5,000 to under 15,000 $23.50, which covers Jacksonville (14,385); 'less than 5,000 and in unincorporated places' $16, which covers Piedmont, Weaver, Ohatchee, Hobson City and every unincorporated location. Selling soft drinks only in bottles, cans or other sealed containers falls under §40-12-69(a) at $4.75; the (b) license also covers sealed-container sales., annual, October 1 to September 30; due October 1 and delinquent November 1, with a 15 percent penalty plus interest; a new business starting after April 1 pays half the year's amount. Also required for restaurants, food trucks, retail stores, fitness studios and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
  • Food Establishment Permit — Alabama Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Milk and Lodging, $50–$650 a year, set by the county health department, not by the state, annual — expiring when the privilege licenses expire, or on a date the health officer sets. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
  • Certified Food Protection Manager — Alabama Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Milk and Lodging, No fee, 5 years for a certification; 12 months for attendance without certification. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.

The other 2 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in Calhoun County Al, AL; what each one involves is set out on the Calhoun County Al permits page. The 6 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across AL and are covered on the AL state page.

How does a coffee shop compare with other businesses in Calhoun County Al?

The closest match is a restaurant, which shares 6 of these permits. A coffee shop also needs Sandwich Shop / Stand License (Ala. Code §40-12-153). A restaurant needs Retail Spirits/Wine Special License and County Alcohol Tax and Restaurant Business Privilege License (Ala. Code §40-12-151), which a coffee shop does not.

Permits particular to each business type in Calhoun County Al, AL, compared with a coffee shop
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a coffee shopOnly a coffee shop needsOnly it needs
Restaurants8612
Food trucks6521
Childcare centres4341
Fitness studios2250
Retail stores4252
Salons and barbers3162
Auto repair shops4163
Veterinary clinics4163
Contractors and trades4074

Sources

Every figure for the permits explained on this page was read from one of these government pages on the date shown. Sources for the permits shared with other businesses are listed with their explanations on the restaurants page, food trucks page, auto repair shops page and retail stores page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the Calhoun County Al permits page and the AL state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.

  1. Alabama Department of Revenue — Handbook of Privilege and Store Licenses, October 2022, with the fee schedule for each business typeAlabama Department of Revenue · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
  2. Alabama Department of Revenue Quick Reference Guide (Oct. 2022) — Title 40-12 classification codes by business typeAlabama Department of Revenue · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-28
  3. Alabama Department of Revenue — Business License page (links the 2022 Handbook, Quick Reference Guide and Census 2020 by City list)Alabama Department of Revenue · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  4. Code of Alabama §45-8-200.05, Commissioner of Licenses — duty to collect and issue all licences except marriage licences, including privilege, store and chain store licencesAlabama Legislature (ALISON, Code of Alabama) · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09

Related

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.