14 permits · verified 2026-10-24
What permits do you need to open a coffee shop in Yolo County?
In short
A coffee shop in Yolo County, CA has 5 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 9 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). 6 of the 14 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-24 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.
Permits particular to a coffee shop in Yolo County
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Business License (unincorporated Yolo County) | Yolo County Department of Community Services, Planning Division — Business License | New license: Business License Fee $294 per license, plus Disability Access (CASp) fee $4 per business license, plus the Technology Recovery Fee of 10% of permit cost (Master Fee Schedule). The county's Business License page states: "In general, a Business License not requiring a Fire Life Safety inspection or subject to other departments' fees is $327.40 (includes a technology fee of 10%)". Renewal: Business License Renewal Fee $82 per license (Master Fee Schedule), plus the $4 state CASp fee that Government Code §4467(a)(2)(A) applies to renewals. Where Environmental Health review applies, the schedule lists Business License Review at $251 per application; a Business Site Inspection is a $700 deposit ("use hourly rates for actual cost"). | 1 year; every business license terminates on January 31 each year (County Code §12-1.512) | 2026-10-24 |
| Retail Food Facility Health Permit (permanent food facility) | Yolo County Department of Community Services, Environmental Health Division | Annual, by facility type, size and risk category (RC): restaurant 0-25 seats RC1 $500 / RC2 $807 / RC3 $921; 26-49 seats $557 / $864 / $999; 50-149 seats $614 / $999 / $1,189; 150+ seats $672 / $921 / $1,304. Retail food market under 2,000 sq ft RC1 $557 / RC2 $807; 2,000-4,999 sq ft $575 / $903; 5,000+ sq ft $768 / $1,036. Bakery under 2,000 sq ft RC1 $443 / RC2 $768; 2,000-4,999 sq ft $500 / $846; 5,000+ sq ft $730 / $926. Bar, no food prep $557. Minor food sales, commercially prepackaged, under 300 sq ft $310. Vending machines, 1-5 at the same location $325. Commissary $783. | annual; the county's Permanent Food Facilities page says 'Permits begin on the first day of the month' | 2026-10-24 |
| Food Facility Plan Checkonly if it applies to you | Yolo County Department of Community Services, Environmental Health Division | Plan check with kitchen or exhaust hood $3,798; without kitchen or exhaust hood $2,711; remodel or mobile food facility $1,775; minor equipment replacement $744; menu review $325; onsite review $230 per hour; expedited service adds 50% of the permit fee. | per project (one-time) | 2026-10-24 |
| Temporary Food Facility Permit (community events)only if it applies to you | Yolo County Department of Community Services, Environmental Health Division | Single event: RC1 $311 / RC2 $329 / RC3 $347 per event. Annual: RC1 $371 / RC2 $421 / RC3 $480. Sampling only, annual $250. Certified agriculture / farmers' market vendor $253. Swap meet / flea market $443. Event organizer permit $688. | per event, or annual for annual permits | 2026-10-24 |
| Food Facility Permit | California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch | No fee | set by the local enforcement agency | 2026-09-03 |
| Food Handler Card | California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch | $15 statutory maximum for at least one accredited course | 3 years | 2026-09-03 |
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 Yolo County
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Permitonly if it applies to you | Yolo County Department of Community Services, Building Division | Varies — formula on the Yolo County page | per project (one-time) | 2026-10-24 |
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
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Information (LLC)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $20 per filing, biennial | biennial | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $70 one-time filing | no expiry, but a Statement of Information is due biennially | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $100 one-time filing | no expiry, but a Statement of Information is due annually | 2026-09-03 |
| Statement of Information (Corporation)only if it applies to you | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | $25 per filing, annual | annual | 2026-09-03 |
| Seller's Permitonly if it applies to you | California Department of Tax and Fee Administration | No fee — no fee to apply | no expiry while actively engaged in business as a seller | 2026-09-03 |
| Annual LLC Tax and Minimum Franchise Taxonly if it applies to you | California Franchise Tax Board | Varies — formula on the CA page | annual, until the entity is cancelled | 2026-09-03 |
| General Business License — California position (city or county, not state) | California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division | No fee | set by the issuing city or county | 2026-09-03 |
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 Yolo County?
There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 14 records listed for a coffee shop in Yolo County, CA, 5 apply to every business of this type and 9 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. 6 of the 14 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:
County Business License (unincorporated Yolo County): New license: Business License Fee $294 per license, plus Disability Access (CASp) fee $4 per business license, plus the Technology Recovery Fee of 10% of permit cost (Master Fee Schedule). The county's Business License page states: "In general, a Business License not requiring a Fire Life Safety inspection or subject to other departments' fees is $327.40 (includes a technology fee of 10%)". Renewal: Business License Renewal Fee $82 per license (Master Fee Schedule), plus the $4 state CASp fee that Government Code §4467(a)(2)(A) applies to renewals. Where Environmental Health review applies, the schedule lists Business License Review at $251 per application; a Business Site Inspection is a $700 deposit ("use hourly rates for actual cost").
Retail Food Facility Health Permit (permanent food facility): Annual, by facility type, size and risk category (RC): restaurant 0-25 seats RC1 $500 / RC2 $807 / RC3 $921; 26-49 seats $557 / $864 / $999; 50-149 seats $614 / $999 / $1,189; 150+ seats $672 / $921 / $1,304. Retail food market under 2,000 sq ft RC1 $557 / RC2 $807; 2,000-4,999 sq ft $575 / $903; 5,000+ sq ft $768 / $1,036. Bakery under 2,000 sq ft RC1 $443 / RC2 $768; 2,000-4,999 sq ft $500 / $846; 5,000+ sq ft $730 / $926. Bar, no food prep $557. Minor food sales, commercially prepackaged, under 300 sq ft $310. Vending machines, 1-5 at the same location $325. Commissary $783.
Food Facility Plan Check: Plan check with kitchen or exhaust hood $3,798; without kitchen or exhaust hood $2,711; remodel or mobile food facility $1,775; minor equipment replacement $744; menu review $325; onsite review $230 per hour; expedited service adds 50% of the permit fee.
Temporary Food Facility Permit (community events): Single event: RC1 $311 / RC2 $329 / RC3 $347 per event. Annual: RC1 $371 / RC2 $421 / RC3 $480. Sampling only, annual $250. Certified agriculture / farmers' market vendor $253. Swap meet / flea market $443. Event organizer permit $688.
The other 2 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the Yolo County permits page and the CA state page.
Which offices issue these permits in Yolo County?
Permits for a coffee shop in Yolo County, CA come from 7 separate offices: Yolo County Department of Community Services, Planning Division — Business License, Yolo County Department of Community Services, Environmental Health Division, Yolo County Department of Community Services, Building Division, 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.
- Yolo County Department of Community Services, Planning Division — Business LicenseIssues 1 permit on this page: County Business License (unincorporated Yolo County)(530) 666-8775www.yolocounty.gov/government/general-government-departments/community-services/planning-division/business-license
- Yolo County Department of Community Services, Environmental Health DivisionIssues 3 permits on this page: Retail Food Facility Health Permit (permanent food facility), Food Facility Plan Check, Temporary Food Facility Permit (community events)292 W. Beamer Street, Woodland, CA 95695 · (530) 666-8646www.yolocounty.gov/government/general-government-departments/community-services/environmental-health-division
- Yolo County Department of Community Services, Building DivisionIssues 1 permit on this page: Building Permit292 West Beamer Street, Woodland, CA 95695 · 530-666-8037www.yolocounty.gov/government/general-government-departments/community-services/building-inspection-services
- California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug BranchIssues 2 permits on this page: Food Facility Permit, Food Handler Cardwww.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/RetailFood.aspx
- California Secretary of State, Business Programs DivisionIssues 5 permits on this page, including Statement of Information (LLC), Articles of Organization (LLC), Articles of Incorporation(916) 657-5448bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov
- California Department of Tax and Fee AdministrationIssues 1 permit on this page: Seller's Permitonlineservices.cdtfa.ca.gov
- California Franchise Tax BoardIssues 1 permit on this page: Annual LLC Tax and Minimum Franchise Taxwww.ftb.ca.gov
What does a coffee shop need in Yolo County that other businesses do not?
Temporary Food Facility Permit (community events)
The county's Community Events & Food Booths page defines a Temporary Food Facility as one that 'operates at a fixed location for the duration of an approved community event' and says such facilities are commonly used at 'community events, fairs, festivals, farmers' markets, street fairs, fundraisers, sporting events, and other approved public gatherings'. It also notes that a food truck, food cart or compact mobile food operation 'should not automatically be classified as a temporary food facility merely because it operates at a community event'. Vendors working several events can take an annual permit, and event organizers hold their own permit. Amounts are from the Environmental Health Fees 2025-2026 sheet (Resolution 25-71.01, effective December 9, 2025), matching the Current Master Fee Schedule lines revised 12/09/2025.
Shared with other businesses in Yolo County
- County Business License (unincorporated Yolo County) — Yolo County Department of Community Services, Planning Division — Business License, New license: Business License Fee $294 per license, plus Disability Access (CASp) fee $4 per business license, plus the Technology Recovery Fee of 10% of permit cost (Master Fee Schedule). The county's Business License page states: "In general, a Business License not requiring a Fire Life Safety inspection or subject to other departments' fees is $327.40 (includes a technology fee of 10%)". Renewal: Business License Renewal Fee $82 per license (Master Fee Schedule), plus the $4 state CASp fee that Government Code §4467(a)(2)(A) applies to renewals. Where Environmental Health review applies, the schedule lists Business License Review at $251 per application; a Business Site Inspection is a $700 deposit ("use hourly rates for actual cost")., 1 year; every business license terminates on January 31 each year (County Code §12-1.512). Also required for restaurants, retail stores, auto repair shops, salons and barbers and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the auto repair shops page.
- Retail Food Facility Health Permit (permanent food facility) — Yolo County Department of Community Services, Environmental Health Division, Annual, by facility type, size and risk category (RC): restaurant 0-25 seats RC1 $500 / RC2 $807 / RC3 $921; 26-49 seats $557 / $864 / $999; 50-149 seats $614 / $999 / $1,189; 150+ seats $672 / $921 / $1,304. Retail food market under 2,000 sq ft RC1 $557 / RC2 $807; 2,000-4,999 sq ft $575 / $903; 5,000+ sq ft $768 / $1,036. Bakery under 2,000 sq ft RC1 $443 / RC2 $768; 2,000-4,999 sq ft $500 / $846; 5,000+ sq ft $730 / $926. Bar, no food prep $557. Minor food sales, commercially prepackaged, under 300 sq ft $310. Vending machines, 1-5 at the same location $325. Commissary $783., annual; the county's Permanent Food Facilities page says 'Permits begin on the first day of the month'. Also required for restaurants and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
- Food Facility Plan Check — Yolo County Department of Community Services, Environmental Health Division, Plan check with kitchen or exhaust hood $3,798; without kitchen or exhaust hood $2,711; remodel or mobile food facility $1,775; minor equipment replacement $744; menu review $325; onsite review $230 per hour; expedited service adds 50% of the permit fee., per project (one-time). Also required for restaurants and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the restaurants 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 1 local permit in the tables apply to every type of business in Yolo County, CA; what each one involves is set out on the Yolo 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 Yolo County?
The closest match is a restaurant, which shares 6 of these permits. A restaurant needs Catering Operation Permit, which a coffee shop does not.
| Business | Its own permits | Shared with a coffee shop | Only a coffee shop needs | Only it needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Retail stores | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Food trucks | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Childcare centres | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Auto repair shops | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Salons and barbers | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Contractors and trades | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Fitness studios | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Veterinary clinics | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
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 auto repair shops page, restaurants page, retail stores page and food trucks page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the Yolo County permits page and the CA state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.
- Yolo County Environmental Health Fees 2025-2026, Resolution 25-71.01, Effective December 9, 2025Yolo County Environmental Health Division · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-24
- Current Master Fee Schedule (print date 9/14/2026)County of Yolo · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-24
- Community Events & Food BoothsYolo County Environmental Health Division · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-24
Related
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.