Food business licences and permits come from several directions at once: the national or federal level, the state or region, and the city or county where you trade. In the United States the word is spelled licenses and the local health permit is usually the center of everything; in the UK the core step is registering with your local council at least 28 days before you trade. The checklist below covers both countries, so you can tick off what applies and find the right office for the rest.
Key takeaways
- No single office issues everything, so expect several applications.
- In the US, your city or county health department permit is usually the key approval for selling food.
- In the UK, food business registration is free, cannot be refused and should happen at least 28 days before trading.
- Street trading, sidewalk seating and signage often need separate permission.
- Every license and permit has a renewal date worth putting in your calendar now.
Before you apply for anything
Some decisions come before any form, because the forms ask about them.
- Choose your legal structure, even if it is the default sole proprietorship or sole trader.
- Decide on your trading name and check whether it needs registering.
- Confirm where food will be prepared: home kitchen, rented kitchen, vehicle or premises.
- Write a short description of what you will sell and where you will sell it.
- Find the websites for your state or regional government and your local council or county.
If you are still testing an idea, our guide to starting a food side hustle covers the earlier choices in more detail.
Food business licences in the United States
The SBA’s guide to applying for licenses and permits says most small businesses need a combination of licenses and permits from federal and state agencies, that states regulate a broader range of activities than the federal government, and that restaurants are among the activities commonly regulated at the local level. It also notes that you need an Employer Identification Number to apply for business licenses and permits.
- Register your business with the state if your structure requires it.
- Get an EIN. The SBA’s page on federal and state tax ID numbers explains when a business needs one and recommends getting it right after you register.
- Check whether you need a state tax ID. The SBA says this depends on whether your business must pay state taxes, and requirements vary by state.
- Apply for the local food establishment or health permit, which may involve plan review and an inspection.
- Ask about a general business license from your city or county.
- Check zoning for your location, including any change of use.
- If you sell from a vehicle, ask about mobile vending permits and where you may park.
- If you sell from home, read your state’s cottage food rules first.
- Ask whether food handler or manager certification is required for you or your staff.
Mobile and fixed premises follow different paths, which we compare in food truck vs restaurant.
Food business licences in the UK
The GOV.UK guidance on starting a food business sets out the core steps for England.
- Register with your local authority at least 28 days before trading. Registration is free and can’t be refused.
- Check whether you need a licence or permit to sell food or to trade in the street.
- If you work from home, confirm you have permission from your mortgage provider, landlord or local council as needed.
- Put in place food safety procedures based on HACCP principles, such as the Safer Food Better Business pack.
- Be ready to show you have been adequately trained in food hygiene. A certificate is not compulsory, but GOV.UK recommends one.
- Keep traceability records of suppliers and of businesses you supply.
- Prepare allergen information covering the 14 allergens that must be declared.
- Tell HMRC you are self-employed, even if you trade part-time.
- Complete a fire risk assessment for your premises and arrange insurance.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements in places, so check your council’s food safety pages.
A side-by-side summary
| Checklist item | United States | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Main food approval | Local health permit, often after plan review | Registration with the local authority |
| Timing | Before opening; ask your health department about lead times | At least 28 days before trading |
| Business identity | State registration, EIN, state tax ID as needed | Tell HMRC you are self-employed or set up a company |
| Trading in the street | City or county mobile or street vending permits | Council street trading licence or permit, where required |
| Food safety system | Set by the state’s adopted food code | HACCP-based procedures |
| Ongoing | Renewals and routine inspections | Inspections and food hygiene rating |
Keeping on top of renewals
- List every license, permit and registration with its issuing office.
- Note each expiry date and set a reminder well ahead of it.
- Update your registration when you change premises, menu scope or ownership.
- Keep copies of certificates and inspection reports in one folder.
The SBA’s advice is simple: keep close track of when you need to renew. A lapsed permit can stop you trading as surely as never having one.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one license that covers a whole food business?
No. In both countries, you deal with several bodies. The local food authority is usually the most important, but tax, trading and premises approvals come from elsewhere.
Do the rules change if I move from a market stall to a shop?
Yes. New premises usually mean a new or updated registration and possibly plan review, which our walkthrough on opening a small café describes.
Where do I check the rules for my exact location?
Start with your city or county health department in the US, or your local council’s food safety team in the UK. Ask in writing and keep the reply.
Your next step
Copy the section for your country into a document, delete what does not apply and add the name of the office responsible for each item. That list becomes your launch plan. Find more first-stage guides in our getting started section.