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

Food Vending Operation Permit

A business that runs a food vending operation in Ulster County applies on the department's food service establishment application. The fee for a "Vending Operation" is $50.00 for a seating capacity of 0 to 25 and $100.00 for a seating capacity of 26 and over, as published in the Health Department's 2026 Food Service Establishment cover letter, for the permit period beginning March 1 and ending February 28 of the following year. The permit applies to a retail store, coffee shop or fitness studio only where it operates food vending. The letter states that permits are not transferable and that all permit and application fees are non-refundable. Ulster County Sanitary Code §1.12.2 provides that "The Commissioner/Director, subject to approval of the Board, may establish a schedule of, and impose fees for, the consideration of applications for the issuance of any required licenses, approvals, or permits consistent with the cost of examination and field inspections." The Board's approval of the dollar schedule is not published online, and the department's 2026 documents print no adoption or effective date.

Food Service Establishment Permit

A restaurant or coffee shop that operates a food service establishment in Ulster County needs a permit to operate from the Ulster County Department of Health for the period beginning March 1 and ending February 28 of the following year. The department's 2026 cover letter states that the application and fee must be submitted at least 21 days before the first day of operation, that operating without a valid permit violates Part 14 of the New York State Sanitary Code, and that permits are not transferable. The fee depends on seating capacity: $100.00 for 0 to 25 seats, $225.00 for 26 to 75 seats and $300.00 for 76 seats and over, as published in the Health Department's 2026 Food Service Establishment cover letter. A water sample, when required, costs $40.00, and the letter states "ALL PERMIT/APPLICATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE". The application includes workers' compensation and disability forms or a signed CE-200 exemption, and payment goes to the Ulster County Commissioner of Finance. Ulster County Sanitary Code §1.12.2 provides that "The Commissioner/Director, subject to approval of the Board, may establish a schedule of, and impose fees for, the consideration of applications for the issuance of any required licenses, approvals, or permits consistent with the cost of examination and field inspections." The Board's approval of the dollar schedule is not published online, and the department's 2026 documents print no adoption or effective date.

Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit

A business that serves food at a fair, festival or other single event in Ulster County needs a temporary food service establishment permit. The fee is $50.00 for a for-profit operator and $0.00 for a not-for-profit with proof of status, as published in the Health Department's 2026 Temporary Food Establishment cover letter. The application and fee are due at least 5 business days before the operation start date, or a $25.00 administrative late fee is assessed, and the letter states that this late fee still applies to a not-for-profit. The department's information sheet states that "Effective January 1, 2026" it no longer accepts applications for nonconsecutive dates outside the 14-day window from the first operating date, with farmers markets as the only exception, and that insurance documents must be submitted with each application. Ulster County Sanitary Code §1.12.2 provides that "The Commissioner/Director, subject to approval of the Board, may establish a schedule of, and impose fees for, the consideration of applications for the issuance of any required licenses, approvals, or permits consistent with the cost of examination and field inspections." The Board's approval of the dollar schedule is not published online, and the department's 2026 documents print no adoption or effective date.

Shared with other businesses in Ulster 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, retail stores 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.