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17 permits · verified 2026-10-27

What permits do you need to open a restaurant in El Dorado County?

In short

A restaurant in El Dorado County, CA has 5 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 12 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. El Dorado County Planning and Building Department charges $247 per letter (Ordinance 5238, Exhibit A: "ABC License Verification, DMV Zoning, and HCD Compliance") for the planning zoning letter for abc license applications. 8 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 restaurant in El Dorado County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Retail Food Facility PermitEl Dorado County Environmental Management DepartmentAnnual 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 youEl Dorado County Environmental Management DepartmentOne-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 project2026-10-27
Cottage Food Operation Registration (Class A) or Permit (Class B)only if it applies to youEl Dorado County Environmental Management DepartmentPer 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
Temporary Food Facility and Event Coordinator Permitonly if it applies to youEl Dorado County Environmental Management DepartmentPer 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 permits2026-10-27
Weighing and Measuring Device and Point-of-Sale Registrationonly if it applies to youEl Dorado County Agriculture, Weights & MeasuresAs 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 registration2026-10-27
Planning Zoning Letter for ABC License Applicationsonly if it applies to youEl Dorado County Planning and Building Department$247 per letter (Ordinance 5238, Exhibit A: "ABC License Verification, DMV Zoning, and HCD Compliance")Per letter2026-10-27
Food Facility PermitCalifornia Department of Public Health, Food and Drug BranchNo feeset by the local enforcement agency2026-09-03
Food Handler CardCalifornia Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch$15 statutory maximum for at least one accredited course3 years2026-09-03

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

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
County Business License — unincorporated El Dorado CountyEl Dorado County Treasurer-Tax CollectorVaries — formula on the El Dorado County pageThe 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 youEl Dorado County Planning and Building DepartmentVaries — formula on the El Dorado County pagePer permit2026-10-27

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

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Statement of Information (LLC)only if it applies to youCalifornia Secretary of State, Business Programs Division$20 per filing, biennialbiennial2026-09-03
Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to youCalifornia Secretary of State, Business Programs Division$70 one-time filingno expiry, but a Statement of Information is due biennially2026-09-03
Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to youCalifornia Secretary of State, Business Programs Division$100 one-time filingno expiry, but a Statement of Information is due annually2026-09-03
Statement of Information (Corporation)only if it applies to youCalifornia Secretary of State, Business Programs Division$25 per filing, annualannual2026-09-03
Seller's Permitonly if it applies to youCalifornia Department of Tax and Fee AdministrationNo fee — no fee to applyno expiry while actively engaged in business as a seller2026-09-03
Annual LLC Tax and Minimum Franchise Taxonly if it applies to youCalifornia Franchise Tax BoardVaries — formula on the CA pageannual, until the entity is cancelled2026-09-03
General Business License — California position (city or county, not state)California Secretary of State, Business Programs DivisionNo feeset by the issuing city or county2026-09-03

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 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 restaurant in El Dorado County, CA, 5 apply to every business of this type and 12 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 5 that always apply, 1 carry a flat fee, coming to $15.00. That is a floor, not a total. 8 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.

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 restaurant 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.

What does a restaurant need in El Dorado County that other businesses do not?

Retail Food Facility Permit

The Environmental Management Department's Food Facilities & Food Establishments page states: 'The El Dorado County, Environmental Management Department, Environmental Health Division, permits and regulates all retail food facilities and establishments in the County.' The permit therefore applies in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe as well as the unincorporated area. 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. The schedule lists a general follow-up health inspection at $221 and states, for operating without a permit, '2x Annual Fee'. A new or remodeled facility also needs the separate food facility plan check. 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.

Planning Zoning Letter for ABC License Applications

Alcohol licenses are issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control; the Treasurer-Tax Collector's BL-100 FAQ states: 'If you plan to sell or serve alcoholic beverages, contact the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC).' Where a zoning letter from the county is needed for an ABC application in the unincorporated area, Ordinance 5238, Exhibit A lists 'ABC License Verification, DMV Zoning, and HCD Compliance' at $247, a Planning fee. Ordinance 5238 was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on August 19, 2025, and its Exhibit A fees took effect sixty days after adoption. Contact the Planning and Building Department, (530) 621-5355 (Placerville) or (530) 573-3300 (South Lake Tahoe).

Shared with other businesses in El Dorado County

  • 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 coffee shops and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
  • Cottage Food Operation Registration (Class A) or Permit (Class B) — 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.". Also required for coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops 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 coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
  • Weighing and Measuring Device and Point-of-Sale Registration — 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. Also required for retail stores, coffee shops and auto repair shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
  • Food Facility Permit — California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch, No fee, set by the local enforcement agency. Also required for coffee shops, 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 coffee shops, 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 restaurant compare with other businesses in El Dorado County?

The closest match is a coffee shop, which shares 7 of these permits. A restaurant also needs Planning Zoning Letter for ABC License Applications. A coffee shop needs Mobile Food Facility and Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) Permit, which a restaurant does not.

Permits particular to each business type in El Dorado County, CA, compared with a restaurant
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a restaurantOnly a restaurant needsOnly it needs
Coffee shops8711
Retail stores7621
Food trucks4351
Auto repair shops2171
Childcare centres1081
Contractors and trades2082
Fitness studios1081
Salons and barbers2082
Veterinary clinics2082

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 retail stores page, coffee shops 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.

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Food Facilities & Food EstablishmentsEl Dorado County Environmental Management Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
  4. Food FacilitiesEl Dorado County Environmental Management Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
  5. EMD FeesEl Dorado County Environmental Management Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
  6. Ordinance 5238 — El Dorado County Schedule of Fees and Charges for the Planning and Building DepartmentEl Dorado County Board of Supervisors · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
  7. Fees — Building DivisionEl Dorado County Planning and Building Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
  8. BL-100 Business License Frequently Asked QuestionsEl Dorado County Treasurer-Tax Collector · 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.