17 permits · verified 2026-10-27
What permits do you need to open a coffee shop in El Dorado County?
In short
A coffee shop in El Dorado County, CA has 6 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 11 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division charges $20 per filing, biennial for the statement of information (llc). 9 of the 17 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-27 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.
Permits particular to a coffee shop in El Dorado County
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Food Facility Permit | El Dorado County Environmental Management Department | Annual permit, per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Restaurant <650 sq ft $774; Restaurant >650 sq ft $995; Restaurant/Bar $995; Bar $420; Bakery $685; Catering Operation $442; Market/Retail pre-packaged only $398; Market/Retail <2,000 sq ft $663; Market/Retail >2,000 sq ft $774; Market+1 (meat, deli, bakery, restaurant) $950; Market+2 $1,171; Market+3 $1,392; Market+4 or more $1,613; Continental Breakfast (limited food service facility) $221; Sub-Facility (additional restaurant, bar, bakery or deli within the original footprint) $221. County fees only. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026. | Annual; under Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit B §J, a permit "shall expire annually on the one-year anniversary date of issuance or date of receipt, unless the permit or receipt indicates a different expiration." | 2026-10-27 |
| Food Facility Plan Check (new construction and remodel)only if it applies to you | El Dorado County Environmental Management Department | One-time plan check, per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Restaurant <650 sq ft $1,105; Restaurant >650 sq ft $1,326; Bakery $1,105; Bar $884; Market pre-packaged only $221; Market/Retail <2,000 sq ft $884; Market/Retail >2,000 sq ft $1,105; Caterers $442; Remodel $221; Food Facility equipment replacement $66 per unit. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026. | One-time, per project | 2026-10-27 |
| Cottage Food Operation Registration (Class A) or Permit (Class B)only if it applies to you | El Dorado County Environmental Management Department | Per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Cottage Food Class "A" annual registration fee $111; Cottage Food Class "B" annual permit $420. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026. | Annual; under Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit B §J, a permit or receipt "shall expire annually on the one-year anniversary date of issuance or date of receipt, unless the permit or receipt indicates a different expiration." | 2026-10-27 |
| Mobile Food Facility and Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) Permit | El Dorado County Environmental Management Department | Annual permit, per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Mobile Food/Pre-Packaged $221; Mobile Food/Roadside $398; Mobile Support Unit $221; CMFO food preparation with raw meats $398; CMFO non-motorized food prep $398; CMFO pre-package with PHF cart $221; CMFO pre-package only, no PHF, greater than 25 sq ft $221; CMFO pre-package only, no PHF, under 25 sq ft annual registration $111; CMFO Commissary $221. Plan check: Satellite Food/Mobile Roadside $442; Compact Mobile Food Operation $221. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026. | Annual; under Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit B §J, a permit "shall expire annually on the one-year anniversary date of issuance or date of receipt, unless the permit or receipt indicates a different expiration." | 2026-10-27 |
| Temporary Food Facility and Event Coordinator Permitonly if it applies to you | El Dorado County Environmental Management Department | Per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Temporary Foods open food preparation, single event $221; open food preparation within 14 days of the event, single event $287; open food preparation (high risk), annual permit $442; limited food preparation (low risk), annual permit $221; pre-packaged (with limited food sampling/dispensing), single event $111; Temporary Food Event add-on for permitted food facilities $177 (high-risk add-on $332); Event Coordinator, temporary/occasional event $221 ($287 within 14 days of the event). These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026. | Single event, or annual for the annual temporary food permits | 2026-10-27 |
| Weighing and Measuring Device and Point-of-Sale Registrationonly if it applies to you | El Dorado County Agriculture, Weights & Measures | As stated in the Agriculture, Weights & Measures fee schedule ('Fees approved by the EDC Board of Supervisors, Updated 10/21/2026'), per device: county fee plus state administrative fee, plus $120 per location. Computing or counter scales (<100 lbs.) $25 + $2.20 state; scales 100 lbs. to <2,000 lbs. $50 + $16 state; Class II/prescription/jewelers scales $80 + $2.20 state; vehicle meters and/or wholesale meters $75 + $2.20 state; all other measuring devices $26 + $2.20 state. Point-of-sale stations: 0–3 $120; 4–9 $290; 10 or more $430. | Annual registration | 2026-10-27 |
| Food Facility Permit | California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch | No fee | set by the local enforcement agency | 2026-09-03 |
| Food Handler Card | California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch | $15 statutory maximum for at least one accredited course | 3 years | 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 El Dorado County
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Business License — unincorporated El Dorado County | El Dorado County Treasurer-Tax Collector | Varies — formula on the El Dorado County page | The BL-100 FAQ states: "The term for a business license shall be for a period of one year commencing with the first day of the calendar month during which the license is issued and expiring on the last day of the 12th succeeding month." | 2026-10-27 |
| Building Permit — unincorporated El Dorado Countyonly if it applies to you | El Dorado County Planning and Building Department | Varies — formula on the El Dorado County page | Per permit | 2026-10-27 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
CA registrations that apply to every type of business
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Information (LLC)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $20 per filing, biennial | biennial | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $70 one-time filing | no expiry, but a Statement of Information is due biennially | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $100 one-time filing | no expiry, but a Statement of Information is due annually | 2026-09-03 |
| Statement of Information (Corporation)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $25 per filing, annual | annual | 2026-09-03 |
| Seller's Permitonly if it applies to you | California Department of Tax and Fee Administration | No fee — no fee to apply | no expiry while actively engaged in business as a seller | 2026-09-03 |
| Annual LLC Tax and Minimum Franchise Taxonly if it applies to you | California Franchise Tax Board | Varies — formula on the CA page | annual, until the entity is cancelled | 2026-09-03 |
| General Business License — California position (city or county, not state) | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | No fee | set by the issuing city or county | 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 coffee shop in El Dorado County?
There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 17 records listed for a coffee shop in El Dorado County, CA, 6 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.
Of the 6 that always apply, 1 carry a flat fee, coming to $15.00. That is a floor, not a total. 9 of the 17 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 2 have no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:
Retail Food Facility Permit: Annual permit, per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Restaurant <650 sq ft $774; Restaurant >650 sq ft $995; Restaurant/Bar $995; Bar $420; Bakery $685; Catering Operation $442; Market/Retail pre-packaged only $398; Market/Retail <2,000 sq ft $663; Market/Retail >2,000 sq ft $774; Market+1 (meat, deli, bakery, restaurant) $950; Market+2 $1,171; Market+3 $1,392; Market+4 or more $1,613; Continental Breakfast (limited food service facility) $221; Sub-Facility (additional restaurant, bar, bakery or deli within the original footprint) $221. County fees only. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026.
Food Facility Plan Check (new construction and remodel): One-time plan check, per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Restaurant <650 sq ft $1,105; Restaurant >650 sq ft $1,326; Bakery $1,105; Bar $884; Market pre-packaged only $221; Market/Retail <2,000 sq ft $884; Market/Retail >2,000 sq ft $1,105; Caterers $442; Remodel $221; Food Facility equipment replacement $66 per unit. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026.
Cottage Food Operation Registration (Class A) or Permit (Class B): Per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Cottage Food Class "A" annual registration fee $111; Cottage Food Class "B" annual permit $420. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026.
Mobile Food Facility and Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) Permit: Annual permit, per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Mobile Food/Pre-Packaged $221; Mobile Food/Roadside $398; Mobile Support Unit $221; CMFO food preparation with raw meats $398; CMFO non-motorized food prep $398; CMFO pre-package with PHF cart $221; CMFO pre-package only, no PHF, greater than 25 sq ft $221; CMFO pre-package only, no PHF, under 25 sq ft annual registration $111; CMFO Commissary $221. Plan check: Satellite Food/Mobile Roadside $442; Compact Mobile Food Operation $221. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026.
Temporary Food Facility and Event Coordinator Permit: Per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Temporary Foods open food preparation, single event $221; open food preparation within 14 days of the event, single event $287; open food preparation (high risk), annual permit $442; limited food preparation (low risk), annual permit $221; pre-packaged (with limited food sampling/dispensing), single event $111; Temporary Food Event add-on for permitted food facilities $177 (high-risk add-on $332); Event Coordinator, temporary/occasional event $221 ($287 within 14 days of the event). These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026.
Weighing and Measuring Device and Point-of-Sale Registration: As stated in the Agriculture, Weights & Measures fee schedule ('Fees approved by the EDC Board of Supervisors, Updated 10/21/2026'), per device: county fee plus state administrative fee, plus $120 per location. Computing or counter scales (<100 lbs.) $25 + $2.20 state; scales 100 lbs. to <2,000 lbs. $50 + $16 state; Class II/prescription/jewelers scales $80 + $2.20 state; vehicle meters and/or wholesale meters $75 + $2.20 state; all other measuring devices $26 + $2.20 state. Point-of-sale stations: 0–3 $120; 4–9 $290; 10 or more $430.
The other 3 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the El Dorado County permits page and the CA state page.
Which offices issue these permits in El Dorado County?
Permits for a coffee shop in El Dorado County, CA come from 8 separate offices: El Dorado County Treasurer-Tax Collector, El Dorado County Environmental Management Department, El Dorado County Agriculture, Weights & Measures, El Dorado County Planning and Building Department, California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch, California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, California Franchise Tax Board. No single office issues them all, which is why an opening means filing in several places rather than one.
- El Dorado County Treasurer-Tax CollectorIssues 1 permit on this page: County Business License — unincorporated El Dorado County360 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667 · (530) 621-5800www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/County-Government/County-Departments/Treasurer-Tax-Collector/Business-License-Information-and-Forms
- El Dorado County Environmental Management DepartmentIssues 5 permits on this page, including Retail Food Facility Permit, Food Facility Plan Check (new construction and remodel), Cottage Food Operation Registration (Class A) or Permit (Class B)2850 Fairlane Court, Building C, Placerville, CA 95667 · (530) 621-5300www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/County-Government/County-Departments/Environmental-Management/EMD-Fees
- El Dorado County Agriculture, Weights & MeasuresIssues 1 permit on this page: Weighing and Measuring Device and Point-of-Sale Registration(530) 621-5520www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/files/assets/county/v/10/documents/land-use/agriculture/2026-device-reg-fee-schedule-with-scanners.pdf
- El Dorado County Planning and Building DepartmentIssues 1 permit on this page: Building Permit — unincorporated El Dorado County2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville, CA 95667 · (530) 621-5315www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Land-Use/Planning-and-Building/Building-Division/Fees
- California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug BranchIssues 2 permits on this page: Food Facility Permit, Food Handler Cardwww.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/RetailFood.aspx
- California Secretary of State, Business Programs DivisionIssues 5 permits on this page, including Statement of Information (LLC), Articles of Organization (LLC), Articles of Incorporation(916) 657-5448bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov
- California Department of Tax and Fee AdministrationIssues 1 permit on this page: Seller's Permitonlineservices.cdtfa.ca.gov
- California Franchise Tax BoardIssues 1 permit on this page: Annual LLC Tax and Minimum Franchise Taxwww.ftb.ca.gov
What does a coffee shop need in El Dorado County that other businesses do not?
Cottage Food Operation Registration (Class A) or Permit (Class B)
This applies to a home-based food business making cottage foods for sale; a Class A operation registers and a Class B operation holds a permit. The Treasurer-Tax Collector's form BL-300 lists 'Cottage Food Operations' among the businesses that need Environmental Management Department sign-off before a county business license issues. The amounts above are copied from the department's fee schedule, which matches Exhibit A of Resolution 122-2026. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026, under Resolution 122-2026, adopted by the Board of Supervisors on July 21, 2026. Contact Environmental Management Department, Environmental Health Division, 2850 Fairlane Court, Building C, Placerville, (530) 621-5300; South Lake Tahoe office, 924 B Emerald Bay Road, (530) 573-3450.
Weighing and Measuring Device and Point-of-Sale Registration
A business that sells by weight or measure on a commercial device (a deli or bulk-goods scale, a fuel or wholesale meter) or rings sales on point-of-sale stations registers them annually with the county Sealer at Agriculture, Weights & Measures. The amounts above are as stated in the county's current Weights & Measures fee schedule, which is marked 'Fees approved by the EDC Board of Supervisors' and 'Updated 10/21/2026'; the state administrative fee per device is a separate state component listed beside the county fee. The schedule states that the Weights & Measures fees 'are authorized by BPC 12240-12446, 13350 and CCR Title 4, Division 9, Chapter 3, Section 4075.' Contact Agriculture, Weights & Measures at (530) 621-5520.
Shared with other businesses in El Dorado County
- Retail Food Facility Permit — El Dorado County Environmental Management Department, Annual permit, per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Restaurant <650 sq ft $774; Restaurant >650 sq ft $995; Restaurant/Bar $995; Bar $420; Bakery $685; Catering Operation $442; Market/Retail pre-packaged only $398; Market/Retail <2,000 sq ft $663; Market/Retail >2,000 sq ft $774; Market+1 (meat, deli, bakery, restaurant) $950; Market+2 $1,171; Market+3 $1,392; Market+4 or more $1,613; Continental Breakfast (limited food service facility) $221; Sub-Facility (additional restaurant, bar, bakery or deli within the original footprint) $221. County fees only. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026., Annual; under Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit B §J, a permit "shall expire annually on the one-year anniversary date of issuance or date of receipt, unless the permit or receipt indicates a different expiration.". Also required for restaurants and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
- Food Facility Plan Check (new construction and remodel) — El Dorado County Environmental Management Department, One-time plan check, per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Restaurant <650 sq ft $1,105; Restaurant >650 sq ft $1,326; Bakery $1,105; Bar $884; Market pre-packaged only $221; Market/Retail <2,000 sq ft $884; Market/Retail >2,000 sq ft $1,105; Caterers $442; Remodel $221; Food Facility equipment replacement $66 per unit. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026., One-time, per project. Also required for restaurants and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
- Mobile Food Facility and Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) Permit — El Dorado County Environmental Management Department, Annual permit, per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Mobile Food/Pre-Packaged $221; Mobile Food/Roadside $398; Mobile Support Unit $221; CMFO food preparation with raw meats $398; CMFO non-motorized food prep $398; CMFO pre-package with PHF cart $221; CMFO pre-package only, no PHF, greater than 25 sq ft $221; CMFO pre-package only, no PHF, under 25 sq ft annual registration $111; CMFO Commissary $221. Plan check: Satellite Food/Mobile Roadside $442; Compact Mobile Food Operation $221. These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026., Annual; under Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit B §J, a permit "shall expire annually on the one-year anniversary date of issuance or date of receipt, unless the permit or receipt indicates a different expiration.". Also required for food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
- Temporary Food Facility and Event Coordinator Permit — El Dorado County Environmental Management Department, Per the Environmental Management Department fee schedule (Resolution 122-2026, Exhibit A): Temporary Foods open food preparation, single event $221; open food preparation within 14 days of the event, single event $287; open food preparation (high risk), annual permit $442; limited food preparation (low risk), annual permit $221; pre-packaged (with limited food sampling/dispensing), single event $111; Temporary Food Event add-on for permitted food facilities $177 (high-risk add-on $332); Event Coordinator, temporary/occasional event $221 ($287 within 14 days of the event). These fees are effective September 19 through December 31, 2026., Single event, or annual for the annual temporary food permits. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
- Food Facility Permit — California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch, No fee, set by the local enforcement agency. Also required for restaurants, retail stores and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
- Food Handler Card — California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch, $15 statutory maximum for at least one accredited course, 3 years. Also required for restaurants, retail stores 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 El Dorado County, CA; what each one involves is set out on the El Dorado County permits page. The 7 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across CA and are covered on the CA state page.
How does a coffee shop compare with other businesses in El Dorado County?
The closest match is a restaurant, which shares 7 of these permits. A coffee shop also needs Mobile Food Facility and Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) Permit. A restaurant needs Planning Zoning Letter for ABC License Applications, which a coffee shop does not.
| Business | Its own permits | Shared with a coffee shop | Only a coffee shop needs | Only it needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Food trucks | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Retail stores | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Auto repair shops | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| Childcare centres | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Contractors and trades | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| Fitness studios | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Salons and barbers | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| Veterinary clinics | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
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, retail stores page and food trucks page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the El Dorado County permits page and the CA state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.
- Environmental Management Department Fee Schedule (Fees effective September 19, 2026 - December 31, 2026)El Dorado County Environmental Management Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
- Resolution 122-2026 — Resolution Establishing Environmental Management Department Fee Schedule and Policies and ProceduresEl Dorado County Board of Supervisors · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
- EMD FeesEl Dorado County Environmental Management Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
- El Dorado County Agriculture, Weights, & Measures Fee ScheduleEl Dorado County Agriculture, Weights & Measures · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Related
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.
