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

Annual Event Food Establishment Permit

Covers a food establishment operating as part of a recurring annual event. The Chapter I Fee Schedule adopted August 19, 2026 prices this permit at $228.00, and that figure is used here as the stated fee. The Code itself conflicts on this point: Chapter VIII Section 3 Regulation 6.l says the Annual Event Food Establishment fee 'is the same as the Seasonal Food Establishment permit fee,' but neither Seasonal Class figure ($193.00 or $312.00) equals $228.00. Both the fee-table figure and the Code-text cross-reference are disclosed here rather than one being silently reconciled; ask MCESD which figure it actually charges for a specific annual event before budgeting. Applies in unincorporated Maricopa County and in any incorporated city or town that has requested MCESD's services.

Liquor License — State-Issued, County Review of Unincorporated-Land Applications (Maricopa County)

Maricopa County states on its own Licenses & Permits page: 'Liquor licenses are issued by the Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors must review liquor license applications for businesses and events located on unincorporated county land,' a review that 'can take 4 to 6 weeks' and includes investigations from the Sheriff's Office, Planning and Development, Treasurer and the Health Departments. Under that page's description the county's role is a review, and there is no county liquor license fee. Special Event Liquor License Applications, Remote Tasting Room Applications and Extension of Premises/Patio Permits are filed with the local jurisdiction first — but only if the location is within unincorporated Maricopa County, since A.R.S. § 4-201(D) routes an application 'outside the corporate limits of an incorporated city or town' to 'the clerk of the board of supervisors,' while § 4-201(B) routes an application inside a city or town to that city's own clerk instead. A restaurant, coffee shop or retail store inside Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale or any other incorporated city files with that city, not the county. Clerk of the Board: 602-506-3766.

Shared with other businesses in Maricopa County

• Food Establishment Operating Permit — Eating & Drinking (restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, bars) — Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, $363–$1,015 annual, by subtype, seating capacity and risk Class (2 to 5), one calendar year from initial issue (Reg. 4.g); nonrefundable, and non-transferable to a new owner or location (Reg. 4.j). Also required for restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Temporary Food Establishment Permit — Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, Temporary Food Establishment (permit good for 14 days): $249.00. A Temporary Food Establishment Late Fee of $112.00 applies where the application is received fewer than 7 days before the event., up to 14 days. Also required for food trucks and restaurants; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
• Seasonal Food Establishment Permit — Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, $193–$312 per permit term, by Class, The Code's own operative definition (Chapter VIII Section 1 Regulation 1; Section 3 Regulation 1.a(5)) sets the term at fifteen (15) to one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days within any permit year. The Chapter I Fee Schedule's own row heading for this same permit reads "Permit good for up to 180 days" — an internal inconsistency in the Code, disclosed here rather than one figure being silently chosen; the 15-120 day definition is the operative legal term.. Also required for food trucks and restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
• Environmental Health Plan Review Fee — Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, $141–$919 one-time, per plan review, by establishment type, plan approval lapses one year after approval unless substantial work has begun (Reg. 4.e); a one-year extension costs $169.00 (Reg. 4.f). Also required for restaurants, retail stores, food trucks and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Food Establishment Permit — Arizona Department of Health Services, $144–$1,015 a year, set by the county board of health — there is no state fee, 1 year from issue. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
• Food Handler Card — Arizona Department of Health Services, No fee, 3 years in the counties that require one. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.