Coffee Shop / Cafe Permits & Licenses in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Required in unincorporated areas of all Florida counties; specific county tax collectors handle issuance (e.g., Miami-Dade: https://www.miamidade.gov/taxcollector/business_tax_receipts.asp)

Required for all LLCs to register with the state. Annual report required separately (see below).

Applies to all Florida LLCs. Filed online via Sunbiz portal.

Required if using a "doing business as" (DBA) name. Renews every 5 years for $50.

Florida sales tax rate is 6% state + local surtax (avg. 7-8% total). Register online via DOR portal.

Florida's unemployment insurance tax. New employers rate is 2.7% on first $7,000 of wages per employee.

Requires plan review ($322) and successful pre-opening inspection. Fees vary by seating capacity.

At least one certified food protection manager required via ServSafe or equivalent (ANSI-accredited).

All businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Florida must register for sales tax. Coffee shops selling prepared food and beverages are subject to 6% state sales tax, plus any applicable local surtax.

Required for all employers in Florida who pay wages subject to federal income tax withholding. Employers must withhold state income tax if required by federal rules (though Florida has no state income tax, this registration is still required for reporting purposes).

Employers with employees must register and pay state unemployment insurance (SUI) tax. New employers pay 2.7% on first $7,000 of wages per employee annually until experience rating is established.

Florida does not impose corporate income tax on pass-through entities (e.g., single-member or multi-member LLCs not electing corporate taxation). If the LLC files as a C-corp, standard corporate tax applies at 5.5% on taxable income.

Florida repealed its franchise tax effective January 1, 2018. No franchise tax is currently imposed on LLCs or other entities.

All businesses, including coffee shops, must obtain a local business tax receipt (commonly called an occupational license) from the county or city where located. Fees and requirements vary by jurisdiction. Example: Miami-Dade County requires this for all retail food establishments.

23 of Florida’s 67 counties impose discretionary sales surtax (e.g., Miami-Dade: +1.5%, Orange County: +1%). Collected and remitted along with state sales tax. Rates vary by county.

Even single-member LLCs should obtain an EIN for banking and tax purposes. Required to file employment, excise, and other business tax returns.

Single-member LLCs report income on owner’s Form 1040 (Schedule C). Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065. Partnerships must file by March 15; individuals by April 15.

Owners of LLCs not treated as corporations must pay self-employment tax on net profits. Paid via Form 1040 with Schedule SE.

Form 941 (quarterly) reports federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholding. Form 940 (annual) reports Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA).

Imposed in tourist-heavy counties (e.g., Miami-Dade: 6% on short-term rentals; not typically applicable to coffee shops unless located in resort zones). Most coffee shops are not subject unless selling prepared food to tourists in designated zones. Verify with local tax office.

Coffee shops must comply with general duty clause requiring safe workplace. Specific requirements include accessible emergency exits, proper handling of hot equipment (e.g., espresso machines), and reporting work-related fatalities within 8 hours or hospitalizations within 24 hours. Employers with 10+ employees must maintain OSHA Form 300 logs (not required for businesses with fewer than 10 employees or in low-risk industries unless otherwise notified).

Coffee shops are considered "public accommodations" under Title III of the ADA. Must ensure physical access (e.g., door width, counter height, restroom accessibility), service policies for customers with disabilities, and effective communication (e.g., for deaf or blind patrons). New construction or alterations must comply with 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Coffee shops that serve food (e.g., pastries, sandwiches) or prepare beverages for on-site consumption are considered food facilities and must register with FDA. Registration is free and done electronically via the FDA’s Food Facility Registration system. Renewal required biennially (Oct 1–Dec 31 in even-numbered years).

While the FDA Food Code is a model guideline, Florida adopts it through state regulations. Coffee shops must follow federal standards for food handling, temperature control, personal hygiene, and equipment sanitation. FDA does not directly enforce but provides the framework adopted by state health departments.

Coffee shops must ensure truthfulness in advertising (e.g., "organic," "locally sourced," "fair trade" claims). Must comply with FTC’s Green Guides (environmental claims), Endorsement Guides (influencer marketing), and prohibitions on deceptive pricing. Menu labeling for calorie counts applies only if part of a chain with 20+ locations (see separate entry).

Requires calorie counts on menus and menu boards, a statement about daily caloric intake, and availability of written nutrition information upon request. Applies to standard menu items, including coffee drinks. Single-location cafes or small chains with fewer than 20 locations are exempt.

Employers must complete Form I-9 for every employee (citizen or non-citizen) to verify identity and employment authorization. Employers must retain I-9 forms for 3 years after hire date or 1 year after employment ends, whichever is later. E-Verify is not federally mandated for most employers but may be required by state law or federal contracts.

Coffee shop employees typically meet interstate commerce threshold. FLSA requires federal minimum wage, overtime pay (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week), proper recordkeeping, and youth employment standards. Note: Florida has a higher state minimum wage ($12.00/hour in 2024), which supersedes federal rate.

Requires eligible employees (12 months of service, 1,250 hours in past year) to receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical or family reasons. Most small coffee shops do not meet the 50-employee threshold and are exempt.

Most coffee shops do not use underground storage tanks. If tanks are present (e.g., for backup power), federal UST regulations apply, including leak detection, corrosion protection, and spill/overfill prevention. Above-ground tanks are regulated by state/local fire codes, not EPA.

Most coffee shops do not store significant quantities of oil. Applies only if large quantities of cooking oil or fuel are stored. Requires an SPCC Plan certified by a professional engineer. Not applicable to typical cafe operations.

FCC does not regulate content filtering but requires compliance with radiofrequency (RF) equipment authorization rules. Wi-Fi routers must be certified. No requirement to log user activity or block content unless under specific federal investigations. Cafes are not liable for user-generated content under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

All Florida LLCs must file an Annual Report with the Division of Corporations by May 1 each year. This is mandatory regardless of business activity or revenue. The report includes updated information about the principal office, registered agent, and members/managers.

Cafes collecting sales tax on food and beverages must register for a Sales Tax Certificate with the FL DOR. Most small cafes file monthly or quarterly. The frequency is assigned by the DOR upon registration.

An EIN is required for tax reporting. While the EIN itself does not require renewal, associated federal tax filings are ongoing. Cafes with employees must file quarterly Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Tax Return) and annual Form 940 (Federal Unemployment Tax Act).

All cafes must obtain and renew a food permit from the local county health department. Renewal is tied to inspection. Contact your local county health office for exact fee and deadline (e.g., Miami-Dade, Orange County).

Inspections ensure compliance with Florida Food Code. Results are public and may be posted online by county. Critical violations must be corrected immediately.

Conducted by the local fire department or fire marshal. Includes review of fire extinguishers, alarms, sprinklers, exit signage, and storage. Some counties require certification after inspection.

Cafes must display their local business tax receipt (also called 'business license') and any state-issued permits (e.g., food permit) in a conspicuous location, typically near the entrance or point of sale. Requirements vary slightly by municipality.

Required posters include: Federal Minimum Wage, Equal Employment Opportunity, Family and Medical Leave Act (if applicable), OSHA Workplace Safety, and Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Notice. Posters must be visible to employees. Free downloads available from DOL and FL DEO websites.

Required for all businesses in incorporated cities; check specific city clerk or tax office (e.g., Orlando: https://www.orlando.gov/Business-Taxes)

Confirms property zoned for commercial food service; required countywide (e.g., Broward: https://www.broward.org/Planning/Zoning/Pages/CertificateofUse.aspx)

Required for cafe fit-outs like counters, plumbing; plans must comply with Florida Building Code

Regulated by local sign ordinances (e.g., Miami: https://www.miamigov.com/Code/Compliance/Signs/home)

Issued after plan review and inspection; required for all food/beverage prep/serving (e.g., Miami-Dade: https://www.miamidade.gov/health/regulation-and-enforcement/food-safety-and-sanitation.asp)

Covers sprinklers, exits, extinguishers per Florida Fire Prevention Code

Verifies compliance with building, fire, zoning codes

False alarm fees escalate (e.g., Miami-Dade: https://www.miamidade.gov/police/alarms.asp)

Limited scale; food prep often prohibited in residential zones

Exempt: Sole proprietors and partners in an LLC may opt out unless working in construction. Corporations with only shareholder-employees may also be exempt. However, if any non-owner employee is hired, coverage is mandatory. Florida Statute §440.77 requires all employers with four or more employees (any industry) to carry workers' comp. In the construction industry, only one employee triggers the requirement.

While not mandated by Florida state law for all businesses, many municipalities and landlords require proof of general liability insurance as a condition of operating. Particularly common for food service businesses due to slip-and-fall risks. Often bundled with property insurance in a Business Owner's Policy (BOP).

Florida Statute §324.021 requires all motor vehicles registered in Florida to carry at least $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL). Commercial vehicles used for business purposes (e.g., delivery bikes or coffee trucks) must carry commercial auto insurance, not personal policies.

Florida requires workers’ comp for all employers with four or more employees (including part-time). Employers must display proof of coverage in the workplace. Insurers may conduct annual payroll audits.

At least one employee must hold a valid Florida Food Manager Certification (from an ANSI-accredited program). Certification requires passing an exam and renewal every 5 years via re-examination or approved continuing education.

Ensures compliance with local building, fire, and ADA accessibility codes. Some counties require inspection before issuing or renewing a business tax receipt.

Required in most Florida cities and counties. Must be renewed annually. Fee is often based on gross receipts or number of employees. Examples: Miami-Dade County, City of Orlando, City of Tampa.

FDACS requires a surety bond for certain food service permits, particularly if operating under contract or in a public facility. However, most standalone coffee shops are not required to post a bond unless operating under a concession agreement. Check with local county health department for specific requirements. No universal bond mandate for all coffee shops.

Not legally required by Florida, but highly recommended for any business selling consumable products. Coffee shops serving food and beverages face risk of product liability claims (e.g., allergens, contamination). Most general liability policies include product liability coverage up to policy limits.

Mandatory for any coffee shop that holds a liquor license (e.g., serving wine or beer). Florida requires businesses with alcohol licenses to carry liquor liability insurance as a condition of licensure. Coverage typically starts at $250,000–$1M per incident. Required under ABT rules and often enforced through local ordinances.

Not legally required for coffee shops in Florida. Typically relevant for professional service providers (e.g., consultants, architects). Coffee shops are not generally exposed to E&O claims unless offering specialized services (e.g., event planning advice). General liability insurance usually covers most customer disputes.

All coffee shops serving food (e.g., pastries, sandwiches) must pass health inspection. Mobile or temporary operations require additional permits.

At least one employee must be certified in food protection. Online courses accepted if ANSI-accredited.

Not required by state law, but almost always required by commercial landlords.

All LLCs with employees or that are required to file certain business tax forms must obtain an EIN. Even single-member LLCs without employees may need an EIN to open a bank account or comply with state requirements. Application is free via IRS Form SS-4.

Single-member LLCs are disregarded entities and report income on Schedule C of Form 1040. Multi-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships and must file Form 1065. LLCs electing corporate status file Form 1120 or 1120-S. All must pay self-employment tax on net earnings unless structured as an S-corp.

Multi-member LLCs are typically treated as partnerships and must file Form 1065. S-corps file Form 1120-S. Due March 15 annually. Owners receive Schedule K-1 to report income on personal returns.