How much do permits cost to open a restaurant in Los Angeles?
The short answer, with the official forms and the agencies' own links.
The short answer
Across the 10 filings a restaurant in Los Angeles makes, the fixed government fees add up to about $870 (Articles of Organization (California LLC) $70, LLC annual tax ($800) $800). 5 more are set by the space or the business, and 3 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
Every filing and its fee
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal
Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, faxed or mailed
- Takes
- Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.
Articles of Organization (California LLC)
California Secretary of StateCalifornia
Filed online in bizfile Online.
- Fee
- $70
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Online filings are currently reviewed about 3 days after receipt (mail about 8 days), per the Oct 8, 2026 queue.
- Renews
- Statement of Information (LLC-12, $20) within 90 days, then every two years.
Seller's permit
California Department of Tax and Fee AdministrationCalifornia
Register online before your first sale; one permit for each location.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Often issued the same day.
- Renews
- Does not expire.
City of Los Angeles business tax registration
City of Los Angeles Office of FinanceCity of Los Angeles
Register online within 30 days of starting business in the city.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Temporary certificate issued immediately; permanent one mailed in 4 to 6 weeks.
- Renews
- Renew every year.
Certified food protection manager
California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health departmentCalifornia
An owner or employee of a place that prepares, handles or serves unpackaged perishable food passes a food protection manager exam from an accredited organization. A new place, a new owner, or a place that loses its certified person has 60 days to have one, and one person can't be certified for two locations. Keep the certificate on file for the inspector.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every 5 years.
Food facility plan check
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental HealthLos Angeles County
Submit plans before building out; approval comes before the public health permit.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Plan review within 20 working days.
Building permit and Certificate of Occupancy
Los Angeles Department of Building and SafetyCity of Los Angeles
Tenant improvements and changes of use go through plan check; a new use gets a new Certificate of Occupancy.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Plans are returned within weeks, depending on workload.
Registration Form for Commercial Employers
California Employment Development DepartmentCalifornia
Register in e-Services for Business within 15 days of paying over $100 in wages.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Mail-in registration takes about 10 to 14 days; online is faster.
Public health permit (food facility)
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental HealthLos Angeles County
Apply after plan approval and before opening; an inspector visits first.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Plan review is completed within 20 working days after payment (10 if you pay for expedited review); the inspector needs at least 3 working days' notice for the final inspection, and the permit is issued after the permit fee is paid.
- Renews
- Every year.
LLC annual tax ($800)
California Franchise Tax BoardCalifornia
Paid every year by every LLC registered or doing business in California.
- Fee
- $800
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Paying the $800 LLC tax online through Web Pay is immediate; it's due by the 15th day of the 4th month of the LLC's tax year.
- Renews
- Every year, by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year.
Full guides
General information, not legal or tax advice. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your business in Los Angeles
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders