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

Food Service Establishment Permit

A restaurant, take-out or coffee shop in Schenectady County needs a food service establishment permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division. Per the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"), the fee depends on seating capacity "(including takeout or stand-up service)": $215 for 100 or less and $315 for 101 or more, plus $65 for a frozen dessert operation (listed as "FROZEN DESSERT - PHD Sec. 225(5)(s)"). The schedule prints no effective date; Schenectady County Sanitary Code §125.01(I)(2) provides that fees are set and amended by the county legislature by resolution. The county Food Services FAQ states: "Most food service establishment permits are $215/year but increase with seating capacity over 100 or if the operation has a frozen dessert machine," and that these are "year-round permits that must be renewed annually." A new or modified establishment first goes through plan review, at $150 per project per the county's Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule; the county plan review packet states: "All applicable building, electrical and plumbing permits must be secured and satisfied, and zoning approval granted before issuance of a permit from this office." The county Food Safety Training page states: "It is required per Schenectady County Sanitary Code Part 125.02 that at least one person from each food service establishment possess an approved, valid food safety training certificate"; the county's own Food Worker's Certification exam costs $75 per person. The Permits page states that food establishment permits are not transferable and a new owner must obtain a new permit. The Permits page accepts proof of exemption from payment in place of the fee (NYS form ST-119.1 and an IRS letter granting 501(c)(3) status). The Permits page accepts online applications through the Schenectady County Citizen Engagement Portal ("Pay by debit, credit card, or e-check"), or applications by mail or in person at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 300, with checks payable to the County of Schenectady; it states "Partial Payments are not accepted."

Temporary Food Service Permit

A vendor preparing or serving food at a fair, festival, fundraiser or other single event in Schenectady County needs a temporary food service permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division. Per the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"), the fee is $90 per booth per event, and the county FAQ states "Temporary food permits are $90/event." The schedule prints no effective date; Schenectady County Sanitary Code §125.01(I)(2) provides that fees are set and amended by the county legislature by resolution. The FAQ states that temporary permits "are only valid for a fixed location for a single event of not more than 14 consecutive days." The county's application instructions state: "The application must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the event," and list proof of workers' compensation and disability insurance (or form CE-200), a commissary agreement where applicable, a menu, and "Payment of $90 per vendor. Make a check payable to Schenectady County. Cash will be accepted if you apply in person." The Permits page adds that a vendor donating its profits to a charitable event may ask for the fee to be waived by attestation, with a matching attestation from the event organizer. Per the FAQ, a business holding a valid Schenectady County catering or mobile food service permit does not need this permit to serve at an event in the county.

Shared with other businesses in Schenectady County

• Food Service Establishment Permit — New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection, No fee, set by the permit-issuing official, not to exceed two years. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
• Food Worker Training — Local Option under 10 NYCRR 14-1.73 (New York) — New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection, No fee, set by the permit-issuing official where one is imposed. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.