Licenses and permits to open a restaurant in San Francisco

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 13 filings, in the order they're made.

Updated October 17, 202613 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
San Francisco Business Registration Certificate

San Francisco Office of the Treasurer and Tax CollectorSan Francisco

Apply online, sign the DocuSign email within 15 days, then pay the fee when asked.

Fee
$55
Filed
Filed online
Takes
The certificate is mailed within 10 to 15 business days after payment.
Renews
Every year, by the last day of February.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Formula retail (chain store) affidavit

San Francisco Planning DepartmentSan Francisco

A chain with 11 or more other locations worldwide files this with the building permit. Many neighborhood districts then require a Conditional Use hearing, and a few ban chains.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
The affidavit itself isn't reviewed separately, but where neighborhood notification is required, neighbors get 30 days to respond, and districts that need Conditional Use go to a Planning Commission hearing.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food facility plan check

San Francisco Department of Public HealthSan Francisco

Filed with the building permit at the Permit Center, with health as a review station: the application, plans and the review fee.

Fee
$2,207
Filed
Filed in person
Takes
DPH doesn't publish a plan review time, but asks you to contact your plan reviewer at least 2 weeks ahead to book the pre-final and final site inspections.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Building permit for a tenant improvement

San Francisco Department of Building InspectionSan Francisco

Submit plans and the application at the Permit Center, which routes it to Planning, Fire and Health.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed in person
Takes
Eligible small businesses opening a new business can get a 30-day review once the application is complete.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Health permit to operate a food facility

San Francisco Department of Public HealthSan Francisco

Apply online at least six weeks before opening, with your business account, location ID and federal tax ID, once a certified food safety manager is on staff.

Fee
$470
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Apply for the health permit at least 1 month before you open.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Sign and awning permit

San Francisco Department of Building InspectionSan Francisco

Online only through PermitSF since June 29, 2026 (Forms 4 and 7 retired): submit drawings, answer plan review, pay, then book the final inspection. Lit signs also need an electrical permit.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
DBI doesn't publish a review time for sign or awning permits; you apply online with construction drawings, and the sign must meet the zoning rules for your district.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Fire Department place of assembly permit

San Francisco Fire DepartmentSan Francisco

For dining rooms above the assembly occupant load: file with the Fire Prevention permits section, which inspects before issuing.

Fee
$446
Filed
Paper form, mailed
Takes
Fire permit applications must be submitted at least 5 working days before the activity or operation starts.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
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.

File on the agency's site How to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a restaurant in San Francisco</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>Articles of Organization (California LLC) (California Secretary of State)</li><li>Seller's permit (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration)</li><li>Certified food protection manager (California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health department)</li><li>San Francisco Business Registration Certificate (San Francisco Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector)</li><li>Formula retail (chain store) affidavit (San Francisco Planning Department)</li><li>Registration Form for Commercial Employers (California Employment Development Department)</li><li>Food facility plan check (San Francisco Department of Public Health)</li><li>Building permit for a tenant improvement (San Francisco Department of Building Inspection)</li><li>Health permit to operate a food facility (San Francisco Department of Public Health)</li><li>Sign and awning permit (San Francisco Department of Building Inspection)</li><li>Fire Department place of assembly permit (San Francisco Fire Department)</li><li>LLC annual tax ($800) (California Franchise Tax Board)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/san-francisco/restaurant.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>

Questions people ask

Other businesses in San Francisco

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.

Get the plan for your restaurant in San Francisco

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

More on opening in San Francisco

Questions people ask

Other businesses in San Francisco

Get the plan for your restaurant in San Francisco