Restaurant licenses
in Miami, Florida
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is a restaurant located in Miami, Florida, that serves food to customers both in-person and online. It operates as a commercial entity with W-2 employees and does not sell alcohol. The legal structure is not specified; entity formation and annual-report duties depend on the structure chosen.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the exact fee for the Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt?
- What is the current discretionary sales surtax rate in Miami-Dade County?
- Does the City of Miami Fire Department or Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue perform the annual fire inspection for this specific address?
- Is a new Certificate of Occupancy needed when taking over a previously operating restaurant space?
- What are the specific FOG/grease interceptor sizing and installation requirements for the kitchen?
- What is the current workers' compensation threshold for this entity type?
- What legal structure and operating name will the owner use, and is an entity already formed?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Business personal-property filing or exemption; Construction permits for the commercial premises. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 15- 01Florida Public Food Service Establishment License (Permanent Food Service — Seating)Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants · Florida
The restaurant prepares and serves food to the public at a fixed commercial location with seating, which is licensed under Chapter 509, F.S.
RequiredAnnual (biennial for some license types) — see industry pass - 02Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt (LBT)Miami-Dade County Office of the Tax Collector · County
Every business operating in Miami-Dade County must hold a county local business tax receipt for each place of business and each business classification.
RequiredAnnual. Tax year runs October 1 – September 30; renew by September 30 or pay penalties. - 03City of Miami Business Tax Receipt (BTR)City of Miami, Business Licensing (Finance) · Miami
The city's official page states 'Every business needs to obtain a Business Tax Receipt to operate in the City (also known as an Occupational License).'
RequiredAnnual; city fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) - 04Certified Food Manager + food handler trainingDBPR, Division of Hotels and Restaurants · Florida
Florida law requires food managers to complete approved training and pass a certification exam within 30 days of employment; all food service employees must complete division-approved food handling/hygiene training every three years.
RequiredEmployee training repeated every 3 years; manager certification renewal per provider. - 05Certificate of Use (CU)City of Miami, Office of Zoning · Miami
Restaurants are a listed use requiring CU approval; the CU is the city's official verification that the business use is allowed in the zone.
RequiredAnnual; CU lasts to the end of the fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) in which issued - 06Fire Safety Permit and annual fire inspectionCity of Miami Fire Rescue, Fire Prevention Bureau · Miami
The Fire Prevention Bureau conducts Certificate of Use/fire safety permit inspections, annual life safety inspections in all existing businesses.
RequiredYearly — 'your CU Renewal also covers your Fire Safety Permit renewal'
This example includes 9 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a restaurant in Miami check?
Our research identifies City of Miami Business Tax Receipt (BTR), issued by City of Miami, Business Licensing (Finance), as required. The city's official page states 'Every business needs to obtain a Business Tax Receipt to operate in the City (also known as an Occupational License).' Check the other city permits in this guide and confirm the requirements for your premises and activities.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a restaurant in Miami?
About $50 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Florida LLC formation (Articles of Organization) and annual report (if applicable) (Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)), then Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Florida Fictitious Name Registration (DBA) (if applicable) (Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical restaurant. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.