Licenses and permits to open a restaurant in Phoenix
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 6 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.
Arizona LLC formation
Arizona Corporation CommissionAZ
File the Articles of Organization online, by mail or in person. Publication is required: if the statutory agent is in Maricopa or Pima County the Commission publishes it, otherwise publish a notice in a newspaper.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Regular processing is typically 14 to 16 days.
Transaction privilege tax (TPT) license
Arizona Department of RevenueAZ
A business selling taxable products or services gets a license for each location, online on AZTaxes.gov or with the paper JT-1. The same application registers employers with the Department of Economic Security for unemployment insurance.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Online, the license number is issued the same day and the certificate is mailed in 7 to 10 business days.
- Renews
- Every year, due January 1; no state renewal fee, city fees still apply.
Food establishment plan review
Maricopa County Environmental ServicesPhoenix
Apply in the county Permit Center with the supporting documents before construction starts; the county advises applying 6 to 8 weeks ahead.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Maricopa County recommends applying at least 6 to 8 weeks before construction starts; if you'll finish within 15 business days of submitting, you must pay for expedited review.
Building permit and Certificate of Occupancy
City of Phoenix Planning and DevelopmentPhoenix
Tenant improvements of a newly occupied space or a change of occupancy go through plan review; the Certificate of Occupancy is generated once all inspections pass and stays with the address. Phoenix doesn't issue a general business license.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Phoenix issues the Certificate of Occupancy 24 hours after the final inspection and mails it to the owner.
Food establishment permit
Maricopa County Environmental ServicesPhoenix
Apply in the county Permit Center; after the final inspection, pay the annual permit fee to receive the permit and open.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- After you apply, expect an email with your permit number and payment instructions within 2 business days; the permit itself follows plan review, inspection and fee payment.
- Renews
- Every year from the issue date.
More on opening in Phoenix
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Phoenix
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
Was this page helpful?
Get the plan for your restaurant in Phoenix
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