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18 permits · verified 2026-10-09

What permits do you need to open a restaurant in San Mateo County?

In short

A restaurant in San Mateo County, CA has 4 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 14 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). 10 of the 18 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-09 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.

Permits particular to a restaurant in San Mateo County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Alcoholic Beverage License (State ABC)only if it applies to youCalifornia Department of Alcoholic Beverage ControlThe license fee is set by the State of California for each ABC license type and paid to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.set by the State for each license type2026-10-09
Retail Food Facility Health PermitSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe annual permit fee, which varies by facility type (restaurant, coffee house or bar, market, retail store with incidental food, caterer or commissary), seating or floor area and risk category, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.annual (Ordinance Code §5.64.060(a))2026-10-09
Food Facility Plan Checkonly if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe plan check fee, which differs for a minor remodel, a major project by floor area and an equipment change, with additional review billed at the EHS hourly rate, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.per project (one-time)2026-10-09
Temporary Event / Temporary Food Facility Permitonly if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe per-event fee, charged to each food booth by risk category (pre-packaged, or with on-site preparation) and to the event coordinator by number of booths, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.per event2026-10-09
Hazardous Materials Business Plan Permit (CUPA)only if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe annual permit fee, tiered by the quantity of hazardous materials stored (low hazard or multi-program, then by gallons), is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.annual2026-10-09
Weighing and Measuring Device Registrationonly if it applies to youSan Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer of Weights and MeasuresLocation fee: $120 for each business location (or each vehicle) with at least one weighing or measuring device, plus a device fee: computing scales and electronic counter scales interfaced with a cash register or point-of-sale system $25 each (total annual fee capped at $1,200 per location); weighing devices of 100 to under 2,000 lb capacity $50 each; jewelry and prescription scales $80 each; wholesale and vehicle meters $75 each; stationary and truck-mounted CNG and LPG meters $185 each; all other commercial weighing or measuring devices $26 each (total capped at $1,200 per location). A late charge of 50% of the registration fee may apply when payment is more than 60 days after the invoice. A state administrative fee per device is also billed.calendar year; permits expire December 31 (Ordinance Code §5.124.010(c))2026-10-09
Annual Operational Fire Permit (San Mateo County Fire service area)only if it applies to youSan Mateo County Fire Department (operated cooperatively with CAL FIRE), Fire MarshalEach annual operational permit is priced on the San Mateo County Fire Department service fee schedule established by Board of Supervisors Resolution 080751, which provides for automatic consumer-price-index adjustment effective no earlier than April 1 of each year. Contact the San Mateo County Fire Marshal, (650) 345-1612 or smcfdfiremarshal@fire.ca.gov, for the current amount.annual2026-10-09
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 Mateo County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Building Permit (unincorporated area)only if it applies to youSan Mateo County Planning and Building DepartmentVaries — formula on the San Mateo County pageper project (one-time)2026-10-09
Use Permit / Kennel-Cattery Permit (unincorporated area)only if it applies to youSan Mateo County Planning and Building DepartmentVaries — formula on the San Mateo County pageper permit; renewals and inspections billed when due2026-10-09

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 San Mateo County?

There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 18 records listed for a restaurant in San Mateo County, CA, 4 apply to every business of this type and 14 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 4 that always apply, 1 carry a flat fee, coming to $15.00. That is a floor, not a total. 10 of the 18 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:

Alcoholic Beverage License (State ABC): The license fee is set by the State of California for each ABC license type and paid to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Retail Food Facility Health Permit: The annual permit fee, which varies by facility type (restaurant, coffee house or bar, market, retail store with incidental food, caterer or commissary), seating or floor area and risk category, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.

Food Facility Plan Check: The plan check fee, which differs for a minor remodel, a major project by floor area and an equipment change, with additional review billed at the EHS hourly rate, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.

Temporary Event / Temporary Food Facility Permit: The per-event fee, charged to each food booth by risk category (pre-packaged, or with on-site preparation) and to the event coordinator by number of booths, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.

Hazardous Materials Business Plan Permit (CUPA): The annual permit fee, tiered by the quantity of hazardous materials stored (low hazard or multi-program, then by gallons), is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.

Weighing and Measuring Device Registration: Location fee: $120 for each business location (or each vehicle) with at least one weighing or measuring device, plus a device fee: computing scales and electronic counter scales interfaced with a cash register or point-of-sale system $25 each (total annual fee capped at $1,200 per location); weighing devices of 100 to under 2,000 lb capacity $50 each; jewelry and prescription scales $80 each; wholesale and vehicle meters $75 each; stationary and truck-mounted CNG and LPG meters $185 each; all other commercial weighing or measuring devices $26 each (total capped at $1,200 per location). A late charge of 50% of the registration fee may apply when payment is more than 60 days after the invoice. A state administrative fee per device is also billed.

Annual Operational Fire Permit (San Mateo County Fire service area): Each annual operational permit is priced on the San Mateo County Fire Department service fee schedule established by Board of Supervisors Resolution 080751, which provides for automatic consumer-price-index adjustment effective no earlier than April 1 of each year. Contact the San Mateo County Fire Marshal, (650) 345-1612 or smcfdfiremarshal@fire.ca.gov, for the current amount.

The other 3 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the San Mateo County permits page and the CA state page.

Which offices issue these permits in San Mateo County?

Permits for a restaurant in San Mateo County, CA come from 9 separate offices: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services, San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer of Weights and Measures, San Mateo County Planning and Building Department, San Mateo County Fire Department (operated cooperatively with CAL FIRE), Fire Marshal, 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 San Mateo County that other businesses do not?

Food Facility Plan Check

Building a new food facility or remodelling one anywhere in the county takes Environmental Health plan check before the retail food permit is issued. Ordinance Code §5.64.070 states that the EHS fee 'shall also be charged upon review of plans for new construction, renovation or remodeling of food facilities, mobile food facilities', public swimming areas and other regulated facilities. The fee depends on the scope of the project (minor remodel, major project by floor area, or an equipment change), with further review billed hourly, under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule that adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. The plan check is separate from the building permit that the city, or for an unincorporated site the county Planning and Building Department, requires for the same work.

Shared with other businesses in San Mateo County

  • Alcoholic Beverage License (State ABC) — California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, The license fee is set by the State of California for each ABC license type and paid to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control., set by the State for each license type. Also required for coffee shops and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
  • Retail Food Facility Health Permit — San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services, The annual permit fee, which varies by facility type (restaurant, coffee house or bar, market, retail store with incidental food, caterer or commissary), seating or floor area and risk category, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount., annual (Ordinance Code §5.64.060(a)). Also required for coffee shops and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
  • Temporary Event / Temporary Food Facility Permit — San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services, The per-event fee, charged to each food booth by risk category (pre-packaged, or with on-site preparation) and to the event coordinator by number of booths, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount., per event. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
  • Hazardous Materials Business Plan Permit (CUPA) — San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services, The annual permit fee, tiered by the quantity of hazardous materials stored (low hazard or multi-program, then by gallons), is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount., annual. Also required for auto repair shops, contractors and trades and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the auto repair shops page.
  • Weighing and Measuring Device Registration — San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer of Weights and Measures, Location fee: $120 for each business location (or each vehicle) with at least one weighing or measuring device, plus a device fee: computing scales and electronic counter scales interfaced with a cash register or point-of-sale system $25 each (total annual fee capped at $1,200 per location); weighing devices of 100 to under 2,000 lb capacity $50 each; jewelry and prescription scales $80 each; wholesale and vehicle meters $75 each; stationary and truck-mounted CNG and LPG meters $185 each; all other commercial weighing or measuring devices $26 each (total capped at $1,200 per location). A late charge of 50% of the registration fee may apply when payment is more than 60 days after the invoice. A state administrative fee per device is also billed., calendar year; permits expire December 31 (Ordinance Code §5.124.010(c)). Also required for retail stores, coffee shops and auto repair shops; what it involves is set out on the auto repair shops page.
  • Annual Operational Fire Permit (San Mateo County Fire service area) — San Mateo County Fire Department (operated cooperatively with CAL FIRE), Fire Marshal, Each annual operational permit is priced on the San Mateo County Fire Department service fee schedule established by Board of Supervisors Resolution 080751, which provides for automatic consumer-price-index adjustment effective no earlier than April 1 of each year. Contact the San Mateo County Fire Marshal, (650) 345-1612 or smcfdfiremarshal@fire.ca.gov, for the current amount., annual. Also required for coffee shops, food trucks, auto repair shops and fitness studios; what it involves is set out on the fitness studios 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 San Mateo County, CA; what each one involves is set out on the San Mateo 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 San Mateo County?

The closest match is a coffee shop, which shares 9 of these permits. A coffee shop needs Tobacco Retailer Permit (unincorporated area and participating cities), which a restaurant does not.

Permits particular to each business type in San Mateo County, CA, compared with a restaurant
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a restaurantOnly a restaurant needsOnly it needs
Coffee shops10901
Retail stores10634
Food trucks7453
Auto repair shops5362
Fitness studios2181
Contractors and trades4183
Childcare centres3093
Salons and barbers4094
Veterinary clinics3093

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, retail stores page, food trucks page, auto repair shops page and fitness studios page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the San Mateo County permits page and the CA state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.

  1. Environmental Health Services FeesSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  2. Ordinance No. 4901 — amending the Environmental Health Services fee schedule and authorizing automatic annual adjustment (adopted 10 December 2024)San Mateo County Board of Supervisors · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  3. San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 5.64 — Fees for Enforcement of State Public Health LawsCounty of San Mateo / Municode · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  4. Food Facility Plan Check ProcessSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09

Related

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