How much permits cost to open in Oakland
In Oakland, the filings with a fixed government fee add up to about $870. 8 more are set by the space or the business, and 9 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
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.
Create/Update Importer Identity Form
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Up to 5 business days.
Customs Bond
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- At least 5 business days for review.
- Renews
- Continuous bonds renew yearly.
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.
ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA)
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal
Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the facility that makes or processes the cosmetics.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every two years.
Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA)
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal
Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the brand (the responsible person on the label), one listing per product.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Update every year.
Oakland zoning clearance
City of Oakland Planning and Building DepartmentOakland
Every business operating in Oakland gets one for its location before the business tax certificate, and again when it moves or changes owner. Apply in the city's Online Permit Center with the street address, parcel number and a description of the business; payment is due when you submit. Some uses first need a conditional use permit.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
City of Oakland business tax certificate
City of Oakland Finance Department, Business Tax OfficeOakland
Apply online or at the Business Tax Office, listing the zoning clearance and, if you sell goods, the California seller's permit. Fees are due within 30 days of the business start date.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Once the application is accepted and paid, the certificate is emailed within 5 days.
- Renews
- Every year; renewals are due by March 1.
Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry
U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUS federal
The importer issues the certificate itself (there is no government form) and, under the eFiling rule, files the certificate data with CBP at entry.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Hazardous materials registration
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)US federal
Filed online when you ship or offer certain hazardous materials in bulk, such as large lithium battery shipments.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every year by June 30.
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.
Food facility plan check
Alameda County Environmental Health DepartmentOakland
Plans must be approved before any new construction or remodel starts. Bring one set of plans drawn at 1/4 inch per foot with equipment spec sheets, the menu, the water heater and hood worksheets, and the plan check questionnaire and worksheet with payment to 1131 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda. After approval, three sets are stamped and two go to the city for the building permits.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed in person
- Takes
- A first response within 20 working days, or 7 with expedited review; approved plans stay valid for half a year.
Health permit to operate a food facility
Alameda County Environmental Health DepartmentOakland
After the rough plumbing, pre-final and final inspections (book each at least 48 hours ahead), complete the permit application; the permit is issued once the fees are paid.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed in person
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.
Packaging producer registration (EPR)
CalRecycle, through Circular Action AllianceCalifornia
The brand owner or importer of packaged goods sold in California registers and reports with the producer organization.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
Proposition 65 warning labels
California Office of Environmental Health Hazard AssessmentCalifornia
Nothing is filed. Businesses with 10 or more employees warn before exposing Californians to listed chemicals, including online at checkout.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Nothing to file
- Takes
- Nothing is filed with or approved by OEHHA, so there's no processing time; the business decides whether a warning is needed and must have it in place itself.
Guides for each business in Oakland
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your business in Oakland
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