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

County Business License Application (Title 5 business types, unincorporated area)

The Treasurer-Tax Collector's Business Licenses page states that 'Business Licenses are issued for certain businesses in Unincorporated San Mateo County Only' and that all applications 'are reviewed and approved by the County's Business License Board'. Ordinance Code §5.04.020 requires the license for a business 'liable for License fees as required in title 5', so it applies only to the business types Title 5 lists — among the industries here, a mobile food preparation unit on County roads (Chapter 5.52) and a secondhand or junk dealer (Chapter 5.32), each recorded separately with its own license fee. The $50.00 non-refundable application fee is as published on the Tax Collector's page on 2026-10-09; the page suggests confirming that a license is needed before buying an application by calling the Planning Division at 650-363-1825 or the Tax Collector at 866-220-0308. Under §5.04.030(b) a business operating at more than one location needs a separate license for each. A business inside one of the county's 20 cities and towns deals with that city's own licensing instead.

Pawnbroker / Secondhand Dealer / Junk Dealer License (unincorporated area)

A resale shop operating as a pawnbroker, secondhand dealer, junk dealer or junk collector in unincorporated San Mateo County needs this license; an ordinary retail store selling new goods does not fall under Chapter 5.32. Section 5.32.060 bars carrying on that business 'without first making Application therefor, paying the annual License fee therefor, and receiving a License from the License Board', and §5.32.080 sets 'The annual License fee for each License issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter' at $60.00. Section 5.32.070 requires the applicant's and badge-holding employees' fingerprints on a Sheriff's form, and under §5.32.170 each person pursuing the business away from the fixed place of business is issued a metal badge, with 'A deposit in the amount of $10' for each badge. The license is issued through the Treasurer-Tax Collector's business license process, separate from the $50 application fee.

Retail Food Facility Health Permit

Health & Safety Code §114381 provides that 'A food facility shall not be open for business without a valid permit' and that the permit 'shall be issued by the enforcement agency'; Environmental Health Services is that agency across San Mateo County, so a restaurant, coffee shop, market or retail store selling food needs its EHS permit whether it is in a city or the unincorporated area. Separately, Ordinance Code §5.68.020 requires a county permit for 'a restaurant, retail food vehicle, vending machine or bakery in unincorporated areas of the County'. Fees are charged annually under Chapter 5.64; §5.64.060(c) halves the fee for a seasonal business open six months or less, §5.64.060(e) exempts businesses run by certified blind operators and charitable operations, and §5.64.160 adds a penalty for payment more than 30 days late. The fee schedule is approved by the Board of Supervisors and, under Ordinance 4901, adjusts automatically each January 1; EHS states the current amount for a given facility type.

Tobacco Retailer Permit (unincorporated area and participating cities)

The EHS Tobacco Program page says it issues tobacco retailer permits 'for any tobacco retailer who sells any tobacco products in unincorporated areas and in participating cities'. Under Ordinance Code §4.98.310 the county may enforce Chapter 4.98 inside a city whose council adopts the chapter and authorizes the county to enforce it; a retailer in a city should confirm with EHS whether that city participates. Section 4.98.110 requires a permit for each location, valid for one year and renewed annually, and the page states that permits are non-transferable. The ordinance (Ord. 4878, approved 23 May 2023) prohibits sales of flavored tobacco and e-cigarette products and bars new permits within 1,000 feet of a youth-populated area, within 500 feet of another tobacco retailer, at non-fixed locations and at temporary events. Permitted retailers receive at least two unannounced inspections a year.

Point-of-Sale System Registration

The county's Device and Point-of-Sale System Registration page says that 'retail establishments that use point-of-sale (POS) systems, as defined by California law, must be registered and are routinely tested for pricing accuracy'. Ordinance Code §5.144.020 requires an annual point-of-sale system registration permit from the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures, expiring December 31 and renewed by March 1, and §5.144.040 sets the fee by the number of checkout registers at the location: $220 for one to three, $390 for four to nine and $490 for ten or more. The same three amounts appear on the county's Weights and Measures fee sheet. Section 5.144.040 also sets a $150 reinspection fee and a 50% late fee for payment more than 60 days after the invoice. Under §5.144.050 the retailer posts the county's consumer notice at each checkout register.

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 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 restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Food Facility Plan Check — San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services, 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., per project (one-time). Also required for restaurants and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the restaurants 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 coffee shops, restaurants and auto repair shops; what it involves is set out on the auto repair shops 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.