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22 permits · verified 2026-09-27

What permits do you need to open a retail store in Los Angeles County?

In short

A retail store in Los Angeles County, CA has 3 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 19 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning charges $3,513 per application, commercial or industrial (effective March 1, 2026) for the conditional use permit, minor (commercial or industrial). 10 of the 22 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-09-27 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.

Permits particular to a retail store in Los Angeles County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Food Market Retail Permit (packaged / prepared food retailer)only if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division$289–$1,341 a year, by square footage and risk tier (FY2026-27): 1-1,999 SF Low $289/Moderate $723/High $1,153; 2,000+ SF Low $388/Moderate $827/High $1,341 (fee codes 1610-1615)annual (county fiscal year, July 1-June 30)2026-09-27
Conditional Use Permit (general)only if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Regional Planning$11,899–$15,873 per application, effective March 1, 2026: $15,873 when there is no other concurrent application on the same property; $11,899 when there is a concurrent application; plus a Fire referral fee of $442, plus $259 per revision, where Fire review is requiredruns with the land (LA County Code Title 22); an extension can be requested through the CUP Time Extension process below2026-09-27
Conditional Use Permit, Minor (Commercial or Industrial)only if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Regional Planning$3,513 per application, commercial or industrial (effective March 1, 2026)runs with the land2026-09-27
Conditional Use Permit — Modification or Elimination of Conditionsonly if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Regional Planning$1,353–$11,129 per request, effective March 1, 2026: $11,129 general; $1,353 for a nonprofit operator with an annual operating budget under $500,000one-time, per modification request2026-09-27
Conditional Use Permit — Time Extensiononly if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Regional Planning$2,109 per extension request (effective March 1, 2026)one-time, per extension request2026-09-27
Animal Facility License (kennel / pet shop / grooming parlor)only if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Animal Care and ControlPet Shop $250 initial / $175 renewal; Grooming Parlor $250 / $175; Animal Facility (kennel), tiered by dog/cat count, $300-$525 initial / $225-$450 renewal; Animal Menagerie, Hobby Breeder, Wholesale Wild Animal Dealer and Training Facility each $250 / $175; Guard Dog $50; a multi-business discount applies when one location holds more than one category.annual, initial and renewal fees differ2026-09-27
County Business License — Title 7 Category List (veterinary, child care, contractor, plain retail)only if it applies to youLos Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, Business License SectionNo feenot applicable2026-09-27
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 Los Angeles County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Site Plan Review, Ministerial (Commercial & Industrial)only if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Regional PlanningVaries — formula on the Los Angeles County pageone-time2026-09-27
Change-of-Use / Occupancy Inspection Feeonly if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Public Works, Building and Safety DivisionVaries — formula on the Los Angeles County pageone-time, per inspection2026-09-27
On-Site Business Sign Plan Reviewonly if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Regional PlanningVaries — formula on the Los Angeles County pageone-time2026-09-27
Commercial Building Permit / Plan Checkonly if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Public Works, Building and Safety DivisionVaries — formula on the Los Angeles County pageper project2026-09-27
Demolition Inspection Feeonly if it applies to youLos Angeles County Department of Public Works, Building and Safety Division$244.88 one-time, per demolition inspection (FY2026-27; was $229.93 in the FY2024-25 archived schedule)one-time, per inspection2026-09-27
Fictitious Business Name (DBA) Statementonly if it applies to youLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County ClerkVaries — formula on the Los Angeles County pagenot stated in the sources retrieved2026-09-27

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 retail store in Los Angeles County?

There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 22 records listed for a retail store in Los Angeles County, CA, 3 apply to every business of this type and 19 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 3 that always apply, 1 carry a flat fee, coming to $15.00. That is a floor, not a total. 10 of the 22 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:

Food Market Retail Permit (packaged / prepared food retailer): $289–$1,341 a year, by square footage and risk tier (FY2026-27): 1-1,999 SF Low $289/Moderate $723/High $1,153; 2,000+ SF Low $388/Moderate $827/High $1,341 (fee codes 1610-1615)

Conditional Use Permit (general): $11,899–$15,873 per application, effective March 1, 2026: $15,873 when there is no other concurrent application on the same property; $11,899 when there is a concurrent application; plus a Fire referral fee of $442, plus $259 per revision, where Fire review is required

Conditional Use Permit — Modification or Elimination of Conditions: $1,353–$11,129 per request, effective March 1, 2026: $11,129 general; $1,353 for a nonprofit operator with an annual operating budget under $500,000

Animal Facility License (kennel / pet shop / grooming parlor): Pet Shop $250 initial / $175 renewal; Grooming Parlor $250 / $175; Animal Facility (kennel), tiered by dog/cat count, $300-$525 initial / $225-$450 renewal; Animal Menagerie, Hobby Breeder, Wholesale Wild Animal Dealer and Training Facility each $250 / $175; Guard Dog $50; a multi-business discount applies when one location holds more than one category.

The other 6 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the Los Angeles County permits page and the CA state page.

Which offices issue these permits in Los Angeles County?

Permits for a retail store in Los Angeles County, CA come from 10 separate offices: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Building and Safety Division, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, Business License Section, 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 retail store need in Los Angeles County that other businesses do not?

1 of the 9 permits particular to a retail store here applies to no other business type we cover in Los Angeles County: Food Market Retail Permit (packaged / prepared food retailer).

Food Market Retail Permit (packaged / prepared food retailer)

A retail store selling packaged or prepared food and beverage — a market, convenience store or similar — needs its own DPH-EH Food Market Retail permit, separate from the restaurant/coffee-shop permit, everywhere in the county except Long Beach, Pasadena and Vernon. The FY2026-27 annual fee runs from $289 for a small, low-risk store under 2,000 square feet up to $1,341 for a large, high-risk one at 2,000 square feet or more. A retail store that sells no food or beverage requiring this classification needs no DPH-EH permit at all.

Food Facility Permit

California writes one statewide standard and delegates the permit. No food facility may open without one, but section 114381(d) puts the price in local hands: any fee "shall be determined by the local governing body" and may only cover the actual cost of enforcement. So there is a statewide RULE and no statewide FEE — no amount is recorded here because the state sets none. The figure that applies to you is your county environmental health department's, and it varies widely between counties. The permit is non-transferable, tied to the specific person, location and activity, and must be displayed. Cottage food operations, child day care facilities and community care facilities sit outside the definition of a food facility.

Shared with other businesses in Los Angeles County

  • Conditional Use Permit (general) — Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, $11,899–$15,873 per application, effective March 1, 2026: $15,873 when there is no other concurrent application on the same property; $11,899 when there is a concurrent application; plus a Fire referral fee of $442, plus $259 per revision, where Fire review is required, runs with the land (LA County Code Title 22); an extension can be requested through the CUP Time Extension process below. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, childcare centres, fitness studios and veterinary clinics; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
  • Conditional Use Permit, Minor (Commercial or Industrial) — Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, $3,513 per application, commercial or industrial (effective March 1, 2026), runs with the land. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, fitness studios and veterinary clinics; what it involves is set out on the fitness studios page.
  • Conditional Use Permit — Modification or Elimination of Conditions — Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, $1,353–$11,129 per request, effective March 1, 2026: $11,129 general; $1,353 for a nonprofit operator with an annual operating budget under $500,000, one-time, per modification request. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, childcare centres, fitness studios and veterinary clinics; what it involves is set out on the fitness studios page.
  • Conditional Use Permit — Time Extension — Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, $2,109 per extension request (effective March 1, 2026), one-time, per extension request. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, childcare centres, fitness studios and veterinary clinics; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
  • Animal Facility License (kennel / pet shop / grooming parlor) — Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, Pet Shop $250 initial / $175 renewal; Grooming Parlor $250 / $175; Animal Facility (kennel), tiered by dog/cat count, $300-$525 initial / $225-$450 renewal; Animal Menagerie, Hobby Breeder, Wholesale Wild Animal Dealer and Training Facility each $250 / $175; Guard Dog $50; a multi-business discount applies when one location holds more than one category., annual, initial and renewal fees differ. Also required for veterinary clinics; what it involves is set out on the veterinary clinics page.
  • County Business License — Title 7 Category List (veterinary, child care, contractor, plain retail) — Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, Business License Section, No fee, not applicable. Also required for veterinary clinics, childcare centres and contractors and trades; what it involves is set out on the veterinary clinics 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, coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.

The other 6 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in Los Angeles County, CA; what each one involves is set out on the Los Angeles 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 retail store compare with other businesses in Los Angeles County?

The closest match is a coffee shop, which shares 6 of these permits. A retail store also needs Food Market Retail Permit (packaged / prepared food retailer), Animal Facility License (kennel / pet shop / grooming parlor) and County Business License — Title 7 Category List (veterinary, child care, contractor, plain retail). A coffee shop needs Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Local Referral Fee, Compact Mobile Food Operation Permit (cart), Retail Food Facility Permit — Restaurant / Coffee Shop (annual) and Food Facility Plan Check (new construction / major remodel), which a retail store does not.

Permits particular to each business type in Los Angeles County, CA, compared with a retail store
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a retail storeOnly a retail store needsOnly it needs
Coffee shops10634
Veterinary clinics10634
Food trucks11635
Restaurants11635
Fitness studios6452
Childcare centres7453
Contractors and trades4183
Auto repair shops3093
Salons and barbers4094

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, fitness studios page, food trucks page and veterinary clinics page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the Los Angeles County permits page and the CA state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.

  1. Public Health and Financial Management Fee Schedule, FY2026-27 (report run 08/18/2026)LA County Dept. of Public Health, Environmental Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-27
  2. Environmental Health permits overviewLA County Dept. of Public Health, Environmental Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-27
  3. California Health and Safety Code section 114381 — food facility permit required, fee determined by the local governing bodyCalifornia Legislative Information · 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.