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24 permits · verified 2026-09-27

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

In short

A coffee shop in San Bernardino County, CA has 9 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 15 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services charges $1,020 flat, one-time, per referral for the environmental health services referral fee (component of a cup/mup/tentative tract application). 13 of the 24 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 coffee shop in San Bernardino County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Mobile Food Facility Health Permit (Vehicle, Cart, or CMFO)San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health ServicesVehicle: Low Risk $307/yr, Medium Risk $585/yr, High Risk $901/yr. Cart/CMFO: Low Risk $282/yr, Medium and High Risk both $426/yr (the fee schedule prices Medium and High Risk carts identically). Mobile Support Unit (commissary support vehicle) $358/yr. MFF-Cart/CMFO Permit-Exempt category exists at $0.annual; a decal renewal inspection is required each year during the month the permit expires2026-09-27
Mobile Food Facility Plan CheckSan Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health ServicesNew vehicle: Low Risk $815, Medium Risk $901, High Risk $928. New CMFO: Low Risk $747, Medium Risk $826, High Risk $851. Cart or vehicle remodel: Low Risk $754, Medium Risk $849, High Risk $873. Mobile Support Unit plan check: new $849, remodel $806.one-time, per unit2026-09-27
Environmental Health Services Referral Fee (component of a CUP/MUP/Tentative Tract application)only if it applies to youSan Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services$1,020 flat, one-time, per referralone-time, per application referral2026-09-27
Liquor License — State ABC License; County Planning Review Fee Applies (San Bernardino County)only if it applies to youSan Bernardino County Clerk of the Board of SupervisorsNo feenot applicable at the county level — the license itself is issued and renewed by the state2026-09-27
Retail Food Facility Health Permit — Snack BarSan Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services$196–$267 a year, by prep level: prepackaged $196, limited prep $231, food preparation $267 (annual); a 6-month version exists at $98/$116/$134 respectivelyannual, with a 6-month option available2026-09-27
Retail Food Plan CheckSan Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services$792–$1,845 one-time per project, ranging $792 to $1,845 depending on facility type, square footage and whether the project is new construction, a major or minor remodel, or a plan changeone-time, per project2026-09-27
Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permitonly if it applies to youSan Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health ServicesEvent Organizer, Annual $675.00 (or $393.00 for a single event). Prepackaged Annual TFF $429.00; single-event (up to 6 months) Prepackaged $169.00. Food Preparation Annual TFF $582.00; single-event Food Prep $237.00. Non-profit versions mirror the standard fees. Late fees: $138.00 for event organizers filing under 2 weeks before the event, or $138.00 for vendors under 48 hours before.per event, or annual for the Event Organizer and Annual TFF categories2026-09-27
Conditional Use Permit / Minor Use Permit (Planning Division Entitlement)only if it applies to youSan Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Planning DivisionConditional Use Permit — Initial Deposit $16,468.00 (actual-cost basis: the deposit is drawn down against staff review time, additional deposits may be billed for further work, and any unused balance is refunded). Minor Use Permit — Initial Deposit $8,420.00, same actual-cost basis. Both are County Code §16.0215A fees, effective July 1, 2026, and are separate from — and far larger than — the $1,020 Environmental Health Services 'Tentative Tract Review/CUP/MUP/TUP' referral fee charged within the same application (recorded as its own line item for the County).one-time per application; the permit itself then runs subject to the conditions the Planning Commission or Planning Director imposes2026-09-27
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 San Bernardino County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Sign Permit — Building & Safety Construction Feeonly if it applies to youSan Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building & Safety DivisionVaries — formula on the San Bernardino County pageone-time, per sign2026-09-27
Home Occupation Permitonly if it applies to youSan Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Code Enforcement DivisionVaries — formula on the San Bernardino County pagebiennial renewal2026-09-27
Sign Permit — Planning Division Land-Use Reviewonly if it applies to youSan Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Planning DivisionVaries — formula on the San Bernardino County pageone-time per sign or sign location plan2026-09-27
Commercial Building Permit (Valuation-Based Fee)San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building & Safety DivisionVaries — formula on the San Bernardino County pageone-time, per project2026-09-27
On-Site Wastewater (Septic) and Well Construction Permitsonly if it applies to youSan Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health ServicesVaries — formula on the San Bernardino County pagevaries — most fees are one-time per project; the DMA Individual Septic System Permit is biennial2026-09-27
Annual Fire Code Inspection / Operational PermitSan Bernardino County Fire Protection DistrictVaries — formula on the San Bernardino County pageannual2026-09-27
General Business License — San Bernardino County positiononly if it applies to youSan Bernardino County Clerk of the Board of SupervisorsNo feenot applicable — per the Clerk of the Board, the County does not issue a business license covering the entire County2026-09-27

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 coffee shop in San Bernardino County?

There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 24 records listed for a coffee shop in San Bernardino County, CA, 9 apply to every business of this type and 15 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 9 that always apply, 1 carry a flat fee, coming to $15.00. That is a floor, not a total. 13 of the 24 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 4 have no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:

Mobile Food Facility Health Permit (Vehicle, Cart, or CMFO): Vehicle: Low Risk $307/yr, Medium Risk $585/yr, High Risk $901/yr. Cart/CMFO: Low Risk $282/yr, Medium and High Risk both $426/yr (the fee schedule prices Medium and High Risk carts identically). Mobile Support Unit (commissary support vehicle) $358/yr. MFF-Cart/CMFO Permit-Exempt category exists at $0.

Mobile Food Facility Plan Check: New vehicle: Low Risk $815, Medium Risk $901, High Risk $928. New CMFO: Low Risk $747, Medium Risk $826, High Risk $851. Cart or vehicle remodel: Low Risk $754, Medium Risk $849, High Risk $873. Mobile Support Unit plan check: new $849, remodel $806.

Retail Food Facility Health Permit — Snack Bar: $196–$267 a year, by prep level: prepackaged $196, limited prep $231, food preparation $267 (annual); a 6-month version exists at $98/$116/$134 respectively

Retail Food Plan Check: $792–$1,845 one-time per project, ranging $792 to $1,845 depending on facility type, square footage and whether the project is new construction, a major or minor remodel, or a plan change

Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit: Event Organizer, Annual $675.00 (or $393.00 for a single event). Prepackaged Annual TFF $429.00; single-event (up to 6 months) Prepackaged $169.00. Food Preparation Annual TFF $582.00; single-event Food Prep $237.00. Non-profit versions mirror the standard fees. Late fees: $138.00 for event organizers filing under 2 weeks before the event, or $138.00 for vendors under 48 hours before.

Conditional Use Permit / Minor Use Permit (Planning Division Entitlement): Conditional Use Permit — Initial Deposit $16,468.00 (actual-cost basis: the deposit is drawn down against staff review time, additional deposits may be billed for further work, and any unused balance is refunded). Minor Use Permit — Initial Deposit $8,420.00, same actual-cost basis. Both are County Code §16.0215A fees, effective July 1, 2026, and are separate from — and far larger than — the $1,020 Environmental Health Services 'Tentative Tract Review/CUP/MUP/TUP' referral fee charged within the same application (recorded as its own line item for the County).

The other 7 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the San Bernardino County permits page and the CA state page.

Which offices issue these permits in San Bernardino County?

Permits for a coffee shop in San Bernardino County, CA come from 10 separate offices: San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building & Safety Division, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services, San Bernardino County Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Code Enforcement Division, San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Planning Division, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, 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 coffee shop need in San Bernardino County that other businesses do not?

1 of the 10 permits particular to a coffee shop here applies to no other business type we cover in San Bernardino County: Retail Food Facility Health Permit — Snack Bar.

Mobile Food Facility Health Permit (Vehicle, Cart, or CMFO)

Every food truck, cart or Commissary/Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) needs its own annual EHS permit. A vehicle (typically a food truck) costs $307 a year at Low Risk, $585 at Medium Risk or $901 at High Risk; a cart or CMFO costs $282 at Low Risk and $426 at both Medium and High Risk — the fee schedule prices Medium and High Risk carts identically. A mobile support/commissary vehicle costs $358 a year, and a very-low-risk cart may qualify for a $0 permit-exempt category. Each figure is from the current EHS Fee Schedule (Data Date 6/30/2026). A commissary agreement and restroom-use agreement are required before a permit issues. This permit covers food-safety only; where a truck or cart may legally park or operate is set separately by the city or by the County, not by this permit.

Retail Food Facility Health Permit — Snack Bar

A coffee shop is priced by EHS as a 'Snack Bar,' by preparation level: $196 a year for prepackaged items only, $231 for limited preparation, or $267 for full food preparation, each figure from the current EHS Fee Schedule (Data Date 6/30/2026). A 6-month option exists at $98/$116/$134 respectively. A coffee shop with a full kitchen and seating comparable to a restaurant could instead be priced as a 'Public Eating Place' (see that requirement) — which category applies depends on EHS's own assessment of the operation, not solely on the business's own label for itself. Plan review is a separate one-time fee (see the Retail Food Plan Check requirement).

Shared with other businesses in San Bernardino County

  • Mobile Food Facility Plan Check — San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services, New vehicle: Low Risk $815, Medium Risk $901, High Risk $928. New CMFO: Low Risk $747, Medium Risk $826, High Risk $851. Cart or vehicle remodel: Low Risk $754, Medium Risk $849, High Risk $873. Mobile Support Unit plan check: new $849, remodel $806., one-time, per unit. Also required for food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
  • Environmental Health Services Referral Fee (component of a CUP/MUP/Tentative Tract application) — San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services, $1,020 flat, one-time, per referral, one-time, per application referral. Also required for restaurants, auto repair shops, childcare centres, veterinary clinics and fitness studios; what it involves is set out on the childcare centres page.
  • Liquor License — State ABC License; County Planning Review Fee Applies (San Bernardino County) — San Bernardino County Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, No fee, not applicable at the county level — the license itself is issued and renewed by the state. Also required for restaurants and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
  • Retail Food Plan Check — San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services, $792–$1,845 one-time per project, ranging $792 to $1,845 depending on facility type, square footage and whether the project is new construction, a major or minor remodel, or a plan change, one-time, per project. Also required for restaurants and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
  • Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit — San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services, Event Organizer, Annual $675.00 (or $393.00 for a single event). Prepackaged Annual TFF $429.00; single-event (up to 6 months) Prepackaged $169.00. Food Preparation Annual TFF $582.00; single-event Food Prep $237.00. Non-profit versions mirror the standard fees. Late fees: $138.00 for event organizers filing under 2 weeks before the event, or $138.00 for vendors under 48 hours before., per event, or annual for the Event Organizer and Annual TFF categories. Also required for food trucks and restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
  • Conditional Use Permit / Minor Use Permit (Planning Division Entitlement) — San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Planning Division, Conditional Use Permit — Initial Deposit $16,468.00 (actual-cost basis: the deposit is drawn down against staff review time, additional deposits may be billed for further work, and any unused balance is refunded). Minor Use Permit — Initial Deposit $8,420.00, same actual-cost basis. Both are County Code §16.0215A fees, effective July 1, 2026, and are separate from — and far larger than — the $1,020 Environmental Health Services 'Tentative Tract Review/CUP/MUP/TUP' referral fee charged within the same application (recorded as its own line item for the County)., one-time per application; the permit itself then runs subject to the conditions the Planning Commission or Planning Director imposes. Also required for restaurants, auto repair shops, childcare centres, veterinary clinics and fitness studios; what it involves is set out on the veterinary clinics 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 7 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in San Bernardino County, CA; what each one involves is set out on the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino County?

The closest match is a restaurant, which shares 7 of these permits. A coffee shop also needs Mobile Food Facility Health Permit (Vehicle, Cart, or CMFO), Mobile Food Facility Plan Check and Retail Food Facility Health Permit — Snack Bar. A restaurant needs Retail Food Facility Health Permit — Public Eating Place, which a coffee shop does not.

Permits particular to each business type in San Bernardino County, CA, compared with a coffee shop
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a coffee shopOnly a coffee shop needsOnly it needs
Restaurants8731
Food trucks5550
Retail stores6462
Fitness studios2280
Auto repair shops3281
Childcare centres5283
Veterinary clinics5283
Contractors and trades10101
Salons and barbers10101

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 food trucks page, childcare centres page, restaurants page, veterinary clinics page and retail stores page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the San Bernardino County permits page and the CA state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.

  1. Environmental Health Services Fee Schedule (Data Date 6/30/2026) — food, mobile food, temporary food, medical waste, land-use referral and OWTS/well feesSan Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-08
  2. Applications, Forms and Fees — EHS's own index of permit applications and the mobile food facility checklist/formsSan Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-08

Related

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.