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18 permits · verified 2026-09-25

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

In short

A restaurant in Clark County, NV has 8 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 10 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. Clark County Department of Building & Fire Prevention, Building Division charges No fee — no separate fee for the final certificate of occupancy; a Temporary or Partial Certificate of Occupancy costs $125.00 per certificate (§22.02.370) for the certificate of occupancy (and temporary / partial certificate). 12 of the 18 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-09-25 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.

Permits particular to a restaurant in Clark County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Retail Liquor License (restaurant, retail store) — Liquor & Gaming (privileged)only if it applies to youClark County Department of Business License$125–$450 per quarter, by license type — realistic range for a restaurant or retail store is $125 (retail beer or wine) to $450 (package liquor), quarters beginning January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1quarterly (Code §8.20.460)2026-09-25
Business License — Restaurant / Take-Out / Snack Bar / Coffee Shop (gross-revenue)Clark County Department of Business LicenseSemiannual gross revenue -> semiannual fee under Clark County Code §6.12.995 (26 tiers: 25 bounded plus one open-ended row) — $0-$12,000 -> $25.00; $12,001-$18,000 -> $30.00; $18,001-$24,000 -> $42.00; $24,001-$30,000 -> $54.00; $30,001-$45,000 -> $66.00; $45,001-$90,000 -> $78.00; $90,001-$135,000 -> $90.00; $135,001-$180,000 -> $100.00; $180,001-$240,000 -> $120.00; $240,001-$300,000 -> $167.00; $300,001-$360,000 -> $200.00; $360,001-$420,000 -> $230.00; $420,001-$480,000 -> $270.00; $480,001-$540,000 -> $300.00; $540,001-$600,000 -> $350.00; $600,001-$660,000 -> $370.00; $660,001-$720,000 -> $400.00; $720,001-$780,000 -> $440.00; $780,001-$840,000 -> $470.00; $840,001-$900,000 -> $500.00; $900,001-$960,000 -> $540.00; $960,001-$1,020,000 -> $570.00; $1,020,001-$1,080,000 -> $600.00; $1,080,001-$1,140,000 -> $640.00; $1,140,001-$1,200,000 -> $670.00; $1,200,001 and over -> 0.05555%. The Code does not state the base of that final 0.05555% rate; 0.05555% of $1,200,000 is $666.60, close to the $670 top tier, which suggests it applies to total semiannual gross rather than only the excess above $1,200,000 — confirm the base with the Department of Business License, (702) 455-0174. Plus a one-time $45.00 non-refundable application processing fee (Code §6.08.030).semiannual; cycle 'Apr - Sept / Oct - Mar' for Full-Service Restaurant, Limited Service Restaurant, Cafeterias and Buffets, and Snack and Non-Alcoholic Beverage Bars (Food Services - Restaurants & Other, 072-101)2026-09-25
Grease Interceptor (FOGG) Plan Approval and Annual Inspection — Clark County Water Reclamation Districtonly if it applies to youClark County Water Reclamation DistrictEffective July 1, 2026: $125.00 per interceptor per year, annual District functionality inspection (Service Rules §1.3.20(a)). Each additional interceptor on the same parcel: $75.00 (§1.3.20(b)). Any subsequent inspection on the same parcel within a 12-month period: $125.00. Hydromechanical FOGG interceptor waiver application fee: $1,000.00, one-time.annual inspection2026-09-25
Southern Nevada Health District Food Establishment Health Permit (restaurant, snack bar, coffee shop, take-out)Southern Nevada Health DistrictAnnual permit (fiscal year July 1-June 30, not prorated): a fixed fee of $290.00 plus a per-unit charge of $3.72, for Restaurant, Restaurant/Take Out, Snack Bar, Main Kitchen, Barbeque, Drinking Establishment and Beer Bar categories. SNHD's published fee schedule does not define what a 'unit' is anywhere in the schedule itself, in the food regulations, or in any public notice examined — confirm the billing basis with SNHD Environmental Health, (702) 759-1110, before estimating a total. Restaurants with drive-up windows instead pay a $382.00 fixed fee (one window) or $472.00 (two windows), plus the same $3.72 unit rate. A food plan review for new construction or remodel costs $547.00 fixed plus $3.25 per unit.annual fiscal year (July 1-June 30), not prorated2026-09-25
Food Handler Safety Training CardSouthern Nevada Health District$25 for a new card or an on-time renewal; a lapsed renewal is $403 years2026-09-04
Food Establishment PermitSouthern Nevada Health District$290–$1,334 a year, set by whichever of three regulators covers the addressannual2026-09-04

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 Clark County

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Fire Prevention Permits — operational permits (places of assembly, open flames/candles in dining areas, hood suppression, mobile food preparation vehicles, tents, spray booths) and fire protection system construction permitsonly if it applies to youClark County Fire Prevention (Department of Building & Fire Prevention)Varies — formula on the Clark County pageoperational permits renew annually (§108.2.3); construction permits lapse if work does not commence within 180 days (§105.3.1)2026-09-25
Zoning Confirmation Letteronly if it applies to youClark County Department of Comprehensive PlanningVaries — formula on the Clark County pageone-time2026-09-25
Certificate of Occupancy (and Temporary / Partial Certificate)Clark County Department of Building & Fire Prevention, Building DivisionNo fee — no separate fee for the final certificate of occupancy; a Temporary or Partial Certificate of Occupancy costs $125.00 per certificate (§22.02.370)one-time; no expiration once issued2026-09-25
Special Use Permit (Title 30), with Variance and Design Review as related land-use applicationsonly if it applies to youClark County Department of Comprehensive PlanningVaries — formula on the Clark County pageone-time, per application2026-09-25
Sign Construction Permit (and Title 30 sign approvals)only if it applies to youClark County Department of Building & Fire Prevention, Building DivisionVaries — formula on the Clark County pageper installation2026-09-25
Zoning Compliance / Business License Zoning Review (Comprehensive Planning)Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning$25 Business License Review administrative fee; an optional stand-alone Zoning Compliance application costs $150.00 (10 working days) where zoning does not otherwise require a land-use applicationone-time, per business license application2026-09-25
Building Permit — tenant improvement / commercial alteration / new commercial construction (with plan review)only if it applies to youClark County Department of Building & Fire Prevention, Building DivisionVaries — formula on the Clark County pageper project; the permit expires if work is not commenced within 180 days (Code §22.02.320)2026-09-25

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

NV 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
Annual Listonly if it applies to youNevada Secretary of State, Commercial Recordings DivisionVaries — formula on the NV pageannual, filed alongside the state business license renewal2026-09-04
Sales and Use Tax PermitNevada Department of Taxation$15 for each location, one timeno expiration — valid until suspended or revoked2026-09-04
Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to youNevada Secretary of State, Commercial Recordings DivisionVaries — formula on the NV pageperpetual, but an annual list and the state business license are both due every year2026-09-04
State Business LicenseNevada Secretary of State, Commercial Recordings Division$200 a year for most entity types; a corporation pays $500annual — due on the last day of the anniversary month the license was first filed2026-09-04
Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to youNevada Secretary of State, Commercial Recordings Division$225 $75 to file plus a $150 initial list, filed togetherperpetual, but an annual list and the state business license are both due every year2026-09-04

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 Clark 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 Clark County, NV, 8 apply to every business of this type and 10 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 8 that always apply, 5 carry a flat fee, coming to $265.00. That is a floor, not a total. 12 of the 18 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 0 have no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:

Retail Liquor License (restaurant, retail store) — Liquor & Gaming (privileged): $125–$450 per quarter, by license type — realistic range for a restaurant or retail store is $125 (retail beer or wine) to $450 (package liquor), quarters beginning January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1

Business License — Restaurant / Take-Out / Snack Bar / Coffee Shop (gross-revenue): Semiannual gross revenue -> semiannual fee under Clark County Code §6.12.995 (26 tiers: 25 bounded plus one open-ended row) — $0-$12,000 -> $25.00; $12,001-$18,000 -> $30.00; $18,001-$24,000 -> $42.00; $24,001-$30,000 -> $54.00; $30,001-$45,000 -> $66.00; $45,001-$90,000 -> $78.00; $90,001-$135,000 -> $90.00; $135,001-$180,000 -> $100.00; $180,001-$240,000 -> $120.00; $240,001-$300,000 -> $167.00; $300,001-$360,000 -> $200.00; $360,001-$420,000 -> $230.00; $420,001-$480,000 -> $270.00; $480,001-$540,000 -> $300.00; $540,001-$600,000 -> $350.00; $600,001-$660,000 -> $370.00; $660,001-$720,000 -> $400.00; $720,001-$780,000 -> $440.00; $780,001-$840,000 -> $470.00; $840,001-$900,000 -> $500.00; $900,001-$960,000 -> $540.00; $960,001-$1,020,000 -> $570.00; $1,020,001-$1,080,000 -> $600.00; $1,080,001-$1,140,000 -> $640.00; $1,140,001-$1,200,000 -> $670.00; $1,200,001 and over -> 0.05555%. The Code does not state the base of that final 0.05555% rate; 0.05555% of $1,200,000 is $666.60, close to the $670 top tier, which suggests it applies to total semiannual gross rather than only the excess above $1,200,000 — confirm the base with the Department of Business License, (702) 455-0174. Plus a one-time $45.00 non-refundable application processing fee (Code §6.08.030).

Grease Interceptor (FOGG) Plan Approval and Annual Inspection — Clark County Water Reclamation District: Effective July 1, 2026: $125.00 per interceptor per year, annual District functionality inspection (Service Rules §1.3.20(a)). Each additional interceptor on the same parcel: $75.00 (§1.3.20(b)). Any subsequent inspection on the same parcel within a 12-month period: $125.00. Hydromechanical FOGG interceptor waiver application fee: $1,000.00, one-time.

Southern Nevada Health District Food Establishment Health Permit (restaurant, snack bar, coffee shop, take-out): Annual permit (fiscal year July 1-June 30, not prorated): a fixed fee of $290.00 plus a per-unit charge of $3.72, for Restaurant, Restaurant/Take Out, Snack Bar, Main Kitchen, Barbeque, Drinking Establishment and Beer Bar categories. SNHD's published fee schedule does not define what a 'unit' is anywhere in the schedule itself, in the food regulations, or in any public notice examined — confirm the billing basis with SNHD Environmental Health, (702) 759-1110, before estimating a total. Restaurants with drive-up windows instead pay a $382.00 fixed fee (one window) or $472.00 (two windows), plus the same $3.72 unit rate. A food plan review for new construction or remodel costs $547.00 fixed plus $3.25 per unit.

Food Establishment Permit: $290–$1,334 a year, set by whichever of three regulators covers the address

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

Which offices issue these permits in Clark County?

Permits for a restaurant in Clark County, NV come from 8 separate offices: Clark County Department of Business License, Clark County Fire Prevention (Department of Building & Fire Prevention), Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning, Clark County Department of Building & Fire Prevention, Building Division, Clark County Water Reclamation District, Southern Nevada Health District, Nevada Secretary of State, Commercial Recordings Division, Nevada Department of Taxation. 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 Clark County that other businesses do not?

Grease Interceptor (FOGG) Plan Approval and Annual Inspection — Clark County Water Reclamation District

A food establishment on the Water Reclamation District's sewer system must have District-approved plans for a fat, oil, grease and grit (FOGG) interceptor before installing it — 'the customer shall not install the interceptor before receiving approval from the District' (§2.5.3) — and then pays an annual District inspection charge of $125 per interceptor, effective July 1, 2026 (up from $110 the prior year), plus $75 for each additional interceptor on the same parcel (up from $60) and $125 for any subsequent inspection within a 12-month period. A separate $1,000 one-time fee applies to a hydromechanical FOGG interceptor waiver application. Whether an auto-repair shop's sand-oil interceptor is billed the same way is not something the District's rules support: the Service Rules treat 'Oil/Grit Interceptors' — the category covering repair garages and vehicle washes — as a category distinct from the 'FOGG' (grease) interceptors this charge applies to, and nothing in Chapter 1 or Chapter 2 extends the §1.3.20 charge to the oil/grit category, so this record is not tagged to the auto-repair industry and that extension should not be assumed; ask CCWRD Pretreatment, (702) 668-8081, whether a repair shop's interceptor is billed under a different schedule. Ask Pretreatment at the same number whether a specific address is on the District's sewer system at all.

Southern Nevada Health District Food Establishment Health Permit (restaurant, snack bar, coffee shop, take-out)

Restaurants, cafes, coffee bars and take-out counters in unincorporated Clark County — and in every other Clark County jurisdiction — are permitted by the Southern Nevada Health District, a regional agency, not the County or the State. The annual permit effective July 1, 2026 charges a fixed fee plus a per-unit charge; SNHD's own published schedule never defines what the billing unit is, so a business should confirm it directly with SNHD Environmental Health, (702) 759-1110, rather than assume it means seats or square footage — no source examined supports either guess. The base rows (Restaurant, Restaurant/Take Out, Snack Bar, Main Kitchen, Barbeque, Drinking Establishment, Beer Bar) are each $290 fixed plus $3.72 per unit; a restaurant with a drive-up window instead pays $382 (one window) or $472 (two windows) fixed, plus the same $3.72 rate. SNHD's fee schedule lists no 'coffee shop' row; a coffee shop is placed here under the Restaurant or Snack Bar row as the closest published category, not a category SNHD itself names. A food plan review, due before construction or remodel, costs $547 fixed plus $3.25 per unit. The County will not issue or renew the general business license until the Health District permit is held — Code §6.04.110(a) requires 'all required approvals ... from ... health' before a license issues or renews, a broader and more current authority than §9.20.030, which only points to an obsolete 1975/1977 Board of Health fee schedule and is not the source for these current figures. Apply through the SNHD Environmental Health portal; food operations phone (702) 759-1110.

Shared with other businesses in Clark County

  • Retail Liquor License (restaurant, retail store) — Liquor & Gaming (privileged) — Clark County Department of Business License, $125–$450 per quarter, by license type — realistic range for a restaurant or retail store is $125 (retail beer or wine) to $450 (package liquor), quarters beginning January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, quarterly (Code §8.20.460). Also required for retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
  • Business License — Restaurant / Take-Out / Snack Bar / Coffee Shop (gross-revenue) — Clark County Department of Business License, Semiannual gross revenue -> semiannual fee under Clark County Code §6.12.995 (26 tiers: 25 bounded plus one open-ended row) — $0-$12,000 -> $25.00; $12,001-$18,000 -> $30.00; $18,001-$24,000 -> $42.00; $24,001-$30,000 -> $54.00; $30,001-$45,000 -> $66.00; $45,001-$90,000 -> $78.00; $90,001-$135,000 -> $90.00; $135,001-$180,000 -> $100.00; $180,001-$240,000 -> $120.00; $240,001-$300,000 -> $167.00; $300,001-$360,000 -> $200.00; $360,001-$420,000 -> $230.00; $420,001-$480,000 -> $270.00; $480,001-$540,000 -> $300.00; $540,001-$600,000 -> $350.00; $600,001-$660,000 -> $370.00; $660,001-$720,000 -> $400.00; $720,001-$780,000 -> $440.00; $780,001-$840,000 -> $470.00; $840,001-$900,000 -> $500.00; $900,001-$960,000 -> $540.00; $960,001-$1,020,000 -> $570.00; $1,020,001-$1,080,000 -> $600.00; $1,080,001-$1,140,000 -> $640.00; $1,140,001-$1,200,000 -> $670.00; $1,200,001 and over -> 0.05555%. The Code does not state the base of that final 0.05555% rate; 0.05555% of $1,200,000 is $666.60, close to the $670 top tier, which suggests it applies to total semiannual gross rather than only the excess above $1,200,000 — confirm the base with the Department of Business License, (702) 455-0174. Plus a one-time $45.00 non-refundable application processing fee (Code §6.08.030)., semiannual; cycle 'Apr - Sept / Oct - Mar' for Full-Service Restaurant, Limited Service Restaurant, Cafeterias and Buffets, and Snack and Non-Alcoholic Beverage Bars (Food Services - Restaurants & Other, 072-101). Also required for coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
  • Food Handler Safety Training Card — Southern Nevada Health District, $25 for a new card or an on-time renewal; a lapsed renewal is $40, 3 years. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
  • Food Establishment Permit — Southern Nevada Health District, $290–$1,334 a year, set by whichever of three regulators covers the address, annual. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.

The other 7 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in Clark County, NV; what each one involves is set out on the Clark County permits page. The 5 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across NV and are covered on the NV state page.

How does a restaurant compare with other businesses in Clark County?

The closest match is a coffee shop, which shares 5 of these permits. A restaurant also needs Retail Liquor License (restaurant, retail store) — Liquor & Gaming (privileged). A coffee shop needs Sidewalk Vendor Business License (food and beverage carts and stands on public sidewalks), which a restaurant does not.

Permits particular to each business type in Clark County, NV, compared with a restaurant
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a restaurantOnly a restaurant needsOnly it needs
Coffee shops6511
Food trucks5332
Retail stores2151
Auto repair shops3063
Childcare centres3063
Contractors and trades3063
Fitness studios1061
Salons and barbers2062
Veterinary clinics2062

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 retail stores page and coffee shops page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the Clark County permits page and the NV state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.

  1. CCWRD Service Rules, Chapter 1 Administrative, Section 3 Rates and Charges (§1.3.20-§1.3.21, FOGG interceptor charges, effective 07/01/2026)Clark County Water Reclamation District · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-08
  2. Southern Nevada Health District — environmental health fee schedule, effective 1 July 2026Southern Nevada Health District · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-04
  3. Clark County Code (Municode job 495815, 'Supplement 149' — codified through Ordinance No. 5387, enacted June 3, 2026, MaxTrackingDate 2026-08-25) — Titles 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 22Clark County / Municode · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-27

Related

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