Catering Business Permit Requirements in Miami, FL

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Florida DBPR — Division of Hotels and Restaurants Catering License

   Catering-only businesses in Florida must be licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants, under Ch. 509, F.S. Food must be stored and prepared in an approved, licensed kitchen, and the operation must pass a sanitation and safety inspection. An already-licensed public food service establishment (or licensed mobile food dispensing vehicle) may provide catering without a separate catering license. Annual renewal required.

   Official government source

   $263/year (half-year $136.50) + $50 application fee for new establishments·2–4 weeks

   $263/year (half-year $136.50) + $50 application fee for new establishments

   2–4 weeks

2. Certified Food Protection Manager & Employee Food Safety Training

   Every DBPR-licensed food service establishment must have at least one certified food protection manager (ANSI-CFP accredited exam), and a certified manager must be present whenever four or more employees are engaged in food storage, preparation, or service. Managers must become certified within 30 days of employment (Rule 61C-4.023, F.A.C.). All other food service employees must receive food safety training (s. 509.049, F.S.); DBPR accepts ANSI-CFP accredited manager certification programs.

   Official government source

   $80–$150 (exam + course)·1–2 days

   $80–$150 (exam + course)

   1–2 days

3. Florida Sales Tax

   Catering services in Florida are subject to state sales tax (6%) plus the Miami-Dade County surtax (1%), for a total of 7%. Register with the Florida Department of Revenue for a Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Florida DBPR — Public Food Service (Catering) License

   Caterers in Miami must hold a state public food service license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants — catering is state-licensed in Florida; county agencies do not license food service. Plan review and a licensing inspection by DBPR are required, and caterers operating without their own licensed kitchen must use a licensed commissary. Locally, the business still needs a City of Miami Certificate of Use and Business Tax Receipt plus the Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt.

   Official government source

   DBPR food service license fees vary by license type and district; see the DBPR Hotels and Restaurants licensing guide·2–6 weeks (application, plan review, and inspection)

   DBPR food service license fees vary by license type and district; see the DBPR Hotels and Restaurants licensing guide

   2–6 weeks (application, plan review, and inspection)

2. Miami-Dade Local Business Tax Receipt

   All businesses in Miami-Dade County must obtain a county Local Business Tax Receipt from the Miami-Dade Tax Collector (BTExpress portal). Businesses located within City of Miami limits must obtain BOTH the City of Miami Business Tax Receipt and the county receipt.

   Official government source

   Varies by business category and number of employees/seats/units; confirm via the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's BTExpress portal or (305) 375-5448·1–2 weeks

   Varies by business category and number of employees/seats/units; confirm via the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's BTExpress portal or (305) 375-5448

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• Florida DBPR — Hotels and Restaurants
• Florida Department of Revenue — Sales Tax
• Miami-Dade Tax Collector — Business Tax Receipts

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