Coffee shop licenses
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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 coffee shop located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that serves customers in person and online, prepares and serves food, and will have W-2 employees. It operates under the jurisdiction of Philadelphia County, which is consolidated with the City of Philadelphia, meaning all local licensing and permits are issued by the city. Legal structure is not specified in this example; entity formation applies only if that structure is 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 current occupancy classification of the chosen location?
- Does the space already have a Certificate of Occupancy for food/restaurant use?
- What is the fee for the Department of Public Health food-business plan review?
- Does the building contain fire protection systems that require certification?
- Will the shop offer outdoor sidewalk seating?
- Will the shop sell sweetened beverages that trigger the Beverage Tax?
- Confirm the legal structure before using entity-formation instructions or including entity-specific fees in the startup budget.
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Federal employer obligations; New-hire reporting; Food-handler training rules; 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 19- 01Food Preparation and Serving LicenseCity of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) · Philadelphia
A coffee shop that prepares and serves food and beverages for public consumption is an eating and drinking establishment that must hold this license.
RequiredAnnual (late renewal: 1.5% of fee per month after 60 days past due) - 02Plan Review for Stationary Food Businesses (Department of Public Health)City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Office of Food Protection · Philadelphia
A new coffee shop must have its food facility plans reviewed by Public Health; the plan review is part of getting a stationary food business up and running, and it is a prerequisite to the food license process.
RequiredOne-time for the initial setup - 03City of Philadelphia Food Safety Personnel Certificate (Certified Food Protection Manager)City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Services · Philadelphia
All food businesses in Philadelphia must have at least one person certified in food safety at all times, so the coffee shop must have at least one employee complete an approved food manager course and obtain the City certificate.
RequiredRenewable; certificate must be kept current (renewal also $30) - 04Commercial Activity License (CAL)City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) · Philadelphia
Every person or legal entity doing business in Philadelphia — including this coffee shop — must hold a CAL; it links the business to its BIRT tax account.
RequiredNo renewal required - 05Certificate of Occupancy (CO)City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) · Philadelphia
A CO is required when a project changes the use or occupancy of a building, and the food license application requires proof of occupancy; a new coffee shop in a converted space needs one before operating.
RequiredOne-time certificate for the use; no recurring renewal stated - 06Pennsylvania Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax LicensePennsylvania Department of Revenue · Pennsylvania
The shop sells tangible goods (coffee, food, merchandise) in person and online, which are taxable sales in Pennsylvania.
RequiredLicense is ongoing; file returns on the assigned schedule (the license must be displayed at the place of business)
This example includes 13 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 coffee shop in Philadelphia check?
Our research identifies Commercial Activity License (CAL), issued by City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), as required. Every person or legal entity doing business in Philadelphia — including this coffee shop — must hold a CAL; it links the business to its BIRT tax account. 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 coffee shop in Philadelphia?
About $429 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 Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Pennsylvania LLC Certificate of Organization (if applicable) (Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations), then Pennsylvania Fictitious Name (DBA) Registration (if applicable) (Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations). 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 coffee shop. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.