12 permits · verified 2026-09-28
What permits do you need to open a restaurant in Jefferson County Al?
In short
A restaurant in Jefferson County Al, AL has 5 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 7 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services charges $200 one-time filing for the certificate of formation (llc). 7 of the 12 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-09-28 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.
Permits particular to a restaurant in Jefferson County Al
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JCDH Food Service Establishment Permit | Jefferson County Department of Health, Food Protection and Environmental Health programs | $250–$650 a year, by risk level — Level 1 $250, Level 2 $350, Level 3 $550, Level 4 $650 (JCDH Food & Lodging Fee Codes); plan review is separate, $250 under 75 seats or $500 over 75 seats | annual | 2026-09-28 |
| Jefferson County Alcoholic Beverage Tax (Form ABT) | Jefferson County Revenue Department, Business License Section | Jefferson County levies its own alcoholic beverage tax, filed on Form ABT under locality code 7237, in addition to the state alcohol tax and separate from the state ABC Board license itself. The Alabama Department of Revenue's own local tax notice for Jefferson County confirms an active levy under this locality code, dated August 17, 2017, and a separately confirmed 'Form ABT (revised 1-1-2024)' shows the form itself is still actively maintained, but no source located publishes the actual tax rate. Contact the Jefferson County Department of Revenue, Enforcement Division, 205-325-5195, for the current rate before filing. | recurring, per the filing schedule set by Form ABT | 2026-09-28 |
| 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 | 2026-09-03 |
| Certified Food Protection Manageronly if it applies to you | Alabama Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Milk and Lodging | No fee | 5 years for a certification; 12 months for attendance without certification | 2026-09-03 |
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 Jefferson County Al
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development Services Building / Zoning Permit (unincorporated county)only if it applies to you | Jefferson County Department of Development Services, Building Division (ePermitJC) | Varies — formula on the Jefferson County Al page | one-time, per permit or application | 2026-09-28 |
| Jefferson County Entity Business License Tax | Jefferson County Revenue Department, Business License Section | Varies — formula on the Jefferson County Al page | annual | 2026-09-28 |
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
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State and County Business Privilege Licenseonly if it applies to you | Alabama Department of Revenue, Business and License Tax Division | Varies — formula on the AL page | annual — 1 October to 30 September, delinquent 1 November | 2026-09-03 |
| Certificate of Formation (LLC)only if it applies to you | Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services | $200 one-time filing | perpetual — Alabama abolished the annual report in 2024 | 2026-09-03 |
| Certificate of Incorporationonly if it applies to you | Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services | $200 one-time filing | perpetual — Alabama abolished the annual report in 2024 | 2026-09-03 |
| Corporation Annual Report (abolished)only if it applies to you | Alabama Secretary of State, Business Services | No fee | not applicable — the filing no longer exists | 2026-09-03 |
| Business Privilege Taxonly if it applies to you | Alabama Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax Division | Varies — formula on the AL page | annual — due when the matching federal return is due | 2026-09-03 |
| Sales Tax License | Alabama Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax Division | No fee | annual — renew online between 1 November and 31 December | 2026-09-03 |
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 restaurant in Jefferson County Al?
There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 12 records listed for a restaurant in Jefferson County Al, AL, 5 apply to every business of this type and 7 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.
7 of the 12 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:
JCDH Food Service Establishment Permit: $250–$650 a year, by risk level — Level 1 $250, Level 2 $350, Level 3 $550, Level 4 $650 (JCDH Food & Lodging Fee Codes); plan review is separate, $250 under 75 seats or $500 over 75 seats
Jefferson County Alcoholic Beverage Tax (Form ABT): Jefferson County levies its own alcoholic beverage tax, filed on Form ABT under locality code 7237, in addition to the state alcohol tax and separate from the state ABC Board license itself. The Alabama Department of Revenue's own local tax notice for Jefferson County confirms an active levy under this locality code, dated August 17, 2017, and a separately confirmed 'Form ABT (revised 1-1-2024)' shows the form itself is still actively maintained, but no source located publishes the actual tax rate. Contact the Jefferson County Department of Revenue, Enforcement Division, 205-325-5195, for the current rate before filing.
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 Jefferson County Al permits page and the AL state page.
Which offices issue these permits in Jefferson County Al?
Permits for a restaurant in Jefferson County Al, AL come from 7 separate offices: Jefferson County Department of Health, Food Protection and Environmental Health programs, Jefferson County Department of Development Services, Building Division (ePermitJC), Jefferson County Revenue Department, Business License Section, 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.
- Jefferson County Department of Health, Food Protection and Environmental Health programsIssues 1 permit on this page: JCDH Food Service Establishment Permit205-930-1260jcdh.org/SitePages/Programs-Services/EnvironmentalHealth/FoodProtection/FoodProt.aspx
- Jefferson County Department of Development Services, Building Division (ePermitJC)Issues 1 permit on this page: Development Services Building / Zoning Permit (unincorporated county)205-325-5321www.jccal.org/Default.asp?ID=1993&pg=ePermit
- Jefferson County Revenue Department, Business License SectionIssues 2 permits on this page: Jefferson County Alcoholic Beverage Tax (Form ABT), Jefferson County Entity Business License Tax716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Birmingham, AL 35203 · 205-325-5300 (main); 205-325-5195 (Enforcement Division)www.jccal.org/575/Business
- Alabama Department of Revenue, Business and License Tax DivisionIssues 1 permit on this page: State and County Business Privilege License2545 Taylor Road, Montgomery, AL 36117 · (334) 353-7827www.revenue.alabama.gov/business-license
- Alabama Secretary of State, Business ServicesIssues 3 permits on this page: Certificate of Formation (LLC), Certificate of Incorporation, Corporation Annual Report (abolished)770 Washington Avenue, Suite 580, Montgomery, AL 36104 · (334) 242-5324www.sos.alabama.gov/business-entities
- Alabama Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax DivisionIssues 2 permits on this page: Business Privilege Tax, Sales Tax LicensePO Box 327710, Montgomery, AL 36132-7710 · (334) 242-1490www.revenue.alabama.gov/sales-use/business-tax-online-registration-system
- Alabama Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Milk and LodgingIssues 2 permits on this page: Food Establishment Permit, Certified Food Protection Manager201 Monroe Street, Suite 1250, Montgomery, AL 36104 · (334) 206-5373www.alabamapublichealth.gov/foodsafety/food-and-lodging.html
What does a restaurant need in Jefferson County Al that other businesses do not?
Certified Food Protection Manager
No state fee, because Alabama neither examines nor registers anyone — the certificate comes from an accredited private programme at that programme's price. Two limits define who actually needs it. It applies only to priority category 3 and 4 establishments, broadly those handling raw animal foods, cooking to reduce pathogens, or cooling and reheating, plus anyone operating under a variance or a food safety plan; categories 1 and 2 and temporary establishments are exempt. And within those categories it is a hard requirement rather than one option among several, because Alabama expressly declines to adopt the two federal food code paragraphs that would otherwise let a person in charge demonstrate knowledge by other means. Since 2020 a certified or attendance-verified person in charge must be present during all hours of operation. There is no statewide food handler card — the phrase appears nowhere in the rules — though Jefferson and Mobile counties each issue one locally.
Shared with other businesses in Jefferson County Al
- JCDH Food Service Establishment Permit — Jefferson County Department of Health, Food Protection and Environmental Health programs, $250–$650 a year, by risk level — Level 1 $250, Level 2 $350, Level 3 $550, Level 4 $650 (JCDH Food & Lodging Fee Codes); plan review is separate, $250 under 75 seats or $500 over 75 seats, annual. Also required for coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
- Jefferson County Alcoholic Beverage Tax (Form ABT) — Jefferson County Revenue Department, Business License Section, Jefferson County levies its own alcoholic beverage tax, filed on Form ABT under locality code 7237, in addition to the state alcohol tax and separate from the state ABC Board license itself. The Alabama Department of Revenue's own local tax notice for Jefferson County confirms an active levy under this locality code, dated August 17, 2017, and a separately confirmed 'Form ABT (revised 1-1-2024)' shows the form itself is still actively maintained, but no source located publishes the actual tax rate. Contact the Jefferson County Department of Revenue, Enforcement Division, 205-325-5195, for the current rate before filing., recurring, per the filing schedule set by Form ABT. Also required for retail stores; 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 coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
The other 2 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in Jefferson County Al, AL; what each one involves is set out on the Jefferson 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 restaurant compare with other businesses in Jefferson County Al?
The closest match is a coffee shop, which shares 3 of these permits. A restaurant also needs Jefferson County Alcoholic Beverage Tax (Form ABT). A coffee shop needs JCDH Mobile Food Service Permit, which a restaurant does not.
| Business | Its own permits | Shared with a restaurant | Only a restaurant needs | Only it needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee shops | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Food trucks | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Retail stores | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Auto repair shops | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Childcare centres | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Contractors and trades | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| Fitness studios | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Salons and barbers | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Veterinary clinics | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
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 coffee shops page, retail stores page and food trucks page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the Jefferson County Al permits page and the AL state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.
- Alabama Administrative Code chapter 420-3-22 — food establishment sanitation, permits issued by the county health officerAlabama Department of Public Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
Related
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.