Licenses and permits to open a restaurant in Miami
A restaurant files the most: company and tax registration, then the build-out, the health permit and the inspections that come with it. Here are the 9 filings, in the order they're made.
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.
LLC formation
Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)FL
Form the LLC or register a foreign company online.
- Fee
- $125
- Filed
- Filed online
Florida sales tax and reemployment tax registration
Florida Department of RevenueFL
Register online before you start doing business. The same application covers sales and use tax and reemployment tax, Florida's unemployment tax for employers.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- After registering online, the certificate number is available on the website after three business days.
Certified food protection manager
Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and RestaurantsFL
Food managers complete training and pass a certification exam from an accredited program within 30 days of starting the job, and the restaurant shows proof whenever an inspector asks.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Food service plan review
Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and RestaurantsFL
Required for a space that is newly built, remodeled, converted from another use or reopening after 18 months closed; the state recommends approval before construction. Submit the plan with labeled equipment and a sample menu together with the new license application on DBPR Online.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
City of Miami CU (use approval)
City of Miami, Office of ZoningMiami
For a business opening or moving in the city, applied for online only through MiamiBiz once construction is done (with the certificate of occupancy or completion for new or renovated space). After the $50 fee, pass the DERM, fire and code inspections, plus Health or DBPR for food, within 90 working days of starting the application.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The city contacts you within five business days of applying and paying.
- Renews
- Every year; it runs to September 30, and the renewal invoice also covers the fire safety permit.
Florida public food service license
Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and RestaurantsFL
Apply and pay on DBPR Online, one license for each operation. Once the plan review requirements are met, call 850-487-1395 several business days before opening to book the opening inspection; serve nobody until it passes and a temporary paper license is issued on the spot.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Most applications are processed within a few business days; mailed ones take longer.
- Renews
- Every year online, on the district's date: October 1 in Miami, February 1 in Tampa, April 1 in Orlando.
City of Miami business tax receipt
City of MiamiMiami
Every business operating in the city needs one, after its Certificate of Use. Apply online with the EIN and, for a restaurant, the state food service license; the city emails an invoice, and the interim receipt comes by email once it's paid. A Miami-Dade County receipt is needed as well.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The city doesn't publish how long approval takes; the interim receipt is emailed after payment.
Miami-Dade County local business tax receipt
Miami-Dade County Tax CollectorMiami
Needed for each place of business in the county, and inside a city on top of the city's receipt. Apply online in BTExpress after completing the attestation that the business doesn't trade with Cuba in violation of federal law.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Allow up to three business days after the attestation for the receipt to be ready to print.
- Renews
- Every year; receipts run October 1 to September 30.
More on opening in Miami
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Miami
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your restaurant in Miami
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