Hotels and Restaurants – Licensing

Introduction

Florida law requires owners of new public food service or lodging establishments, and new owners of existing establishments, to obtain a license from the division before commencing operation. General information regarding the licensing process is available below and on our forms page.   For information about other food service regulatory agencies in Florida please visit the food service jurisdiction page.

Food Service Establishments

• Who Needs a License?
• Definition: Food Service Establishments
• Apply for a Food Service License

Lodging Establishments

• Who Needs a License?
• Definitions: Lodging Establishments / Transient / Nontransient
• Apply for a Lodging License

Licensing Requirements

There are generally four steps to acquiring a license with the division:

1. Create a DBPR Online account
2. Apply for and complete plan review (for Food Service licenses only)
3. Apply for a license and pay the license fee
4. Schedule and pass the licensing Inspection

License Application

Applications are available via DBPR Online services. Each operation requires a separate license.  Therefore, if you intend to serve food inside a lodging facility (such as a hotel), you will need a license for the hotel and a separate license for each food service operation on the premises. Most applications are processed within a few business days once we receive them, please allow additional time if submitting by mail. For fastest turnaround apply online.

Licensing Guides

To review the types of licenses available and apply online, review the following links as well as our Licensing Guides page.

Public Food Service Establishments

• Permanent Food Service
• Caterers
• Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles and Hot Dog Carts
• Temporary Food Service Events
  • (En español)
• Theme Park Food Carts
• Culinary Education Programs
• All Others

Public Lodging Establishments

• Apartments
• Bed and Breakfast Inns
• Vacation Rentals and Timeshare Projects
• All Others

Plan Review (Food Service Only)

Florida law and rule requires operators of public food service establishments to submit properly prepared facility plans and specifications to the division for review and approval if the establishment is:

• Newly constructed,
• Remodeled,
• Converted from another use, or
• Reopened after being closed at least 18 months.

You may skip this requirement if your establishment does not meet these criteria. The division recommends completion of plan review approval before construction to avoid potential costly modifications. See our plan review page for more information.

Plan Review Guides: The following application “how-to” guides were developed with step-by-step instructions for submitting your plan review application materials. They contain vital links to all forms and requirements of the process. These guides will help you avoid costly errors during the process that can cause delays or denial of your application.

• How to complete a permanent Food Service Plan Review (fixed establishments, caterers, etc.)
• How to complete a Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles Plan Review
• How to complete a Hot Dog Carts Plan Review

Once your plan review is ready, you can then submit it when you Apply for a New Seating Establishment License and Plan Review at the Same Time or Apply for a Change of Ownership of an Existing Seating Establishment License with Plan Review.

Opening Inspection

Each new license requires a satisfactory opening inspection except vacation rentals. If you have submitted your application and fees, have not heard from us, but are ready to open your establishment please contact the DBPR Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395 to request an inspection. Please contact us several business days prior to your opening date to schedule the inspection.

• Change of ownership applications do not require an inspection if the previous owner received a satisfactory inspection within 120 days before the application is processed. If there was no inspection within this time period, we will conduct the opening inspection after you legally become the new owner.
• Inspectors do not routinely conduct pre-opening or courtesy inspections. Please don’t call to schedule an opening inspection unless you are absolutely ready to open.
• When opening a newly built, converted or reopened establishment, do not begin to rent units or serve food to the public until obtaining a satisfactory inspection and a license to operate.
• Have proof of other approvals onsite, such as building, electrical, fire, plumbing, etc.

After passing an opening inspection the operator will receive a temporary paper license on the spot.

License Renewals and Expiration

Per Florida Statutes, the division operates on a staggered license renewal schedule. This means that licenses in different areas of the state expire and renew at different times throughout the year. The expiration date does not change, regardless of when an application is submitted. Before applying, please review your area’s license expiration and renewal dates below. All licenses are renewed on an annual basis and can be completed online. The division divides the state into 7 licensing districts according to county. Licenses expire each year at the following times:

• District 1 (Miami Region) – October 1
• District 2 (Ft. Lauderdale Region) – December 1
• District 3 (Tampa Region) – February 1
• District 4 (Orlando Region) – April 1
• District 5 (Jacksonville Region)– June 1
• District 6 (Panama City Region)– June 1
• District 7 (Ft. Myers Region) – December 1

Fees

A full breakdowns of fees are available on the food service fee and lodging fee pages.  Depending on your location, number of units and application date the length of your initial license period may vary after which the license period will be annual. Payments are submitted online during the application process.

Inspections

The Division of Hotels and Restaurants conducts regular inspections of public food service and lodging establishments to assure compliance with all state sanitation and safety laws. For more information see the Inspections page.

REQUIREMENTS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES

In addition to obtaining a food or lodging license, we urge all applicants to make sure they comply with all other federal, state, and local requirements. These include:

County and Municipality Requirements

Regulations vary among counties and municipalities, and requirements from both may apply to your business.  Before making any significant financial commitment, such as signing a lease or construction contract, contact the separate Occupational License, Zoning, and Building authorities for your desired location.  Ask each for detailed requirements on opening or transferring ownership of a food or lodging business.  Contact information for these departments is in the “government” section of your local telephone book, or available on the Internet.

Sales Tax Registration Number

Obtain a Florida sales tax number or proof of exemption. Visit the Department of Revenue for further information.

Federal Employer Identification Number

Obtain a federal employer identification number (FEIN). Contact the U. S. Internal Revenue Service at: https://www.irs.gov for a FEIN application.

Alcoholic Beverage Application

If you intend to sell alcoholic beverages, contact your local DBPR, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, district office for an application. If approved, a DHR inspector will also perform a beverage inspection in conjunction with the opening inspection. Beverage licenses will not be issued to public food service establishments without a passed inspection and a license number assigned by the DHR. Send your completed application for a beverage license and a copy of your passed DBPR inspection form to the ABT district office in your area. Once you have received your beverage license, please provide the number and type of license to your DHR district office as soon as possible.

Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

The Internal Revenue Service assigns an ITIN to individuals who are not eligible for a social security number due to their status as an alien.  Each ITIN begins with the number nine and is formatted in the same configuration as a social security number (900-00-0000).  This number is available to alien operators upon the approval of their IRS form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number application. To obtain the form, contact the IRS or download the form from the Internet at: https://www.irs.gov.