Permits
Coffee and cart permits in Arkansas
To sell coffee in Arkansas, you work with your county health department for food and mobile vending permits, then add a business license and state tax registration. Pick your county below for the department that handles your area and the steps to open.
75 counties in Arkansas. 8 have a detailed permit page below. For any other county, check your ZIP and we will point you to the right health department.
Statewide rules in Arkansas
In Arkansas, the Dept. of Health Environmental Health Protection Branch issues food service permits for all retail food establishments and mobile units, with a plan review required before opening.
- Food & vending permits
- Arkansas Dept. of Health, food service and mobile unit permits
- Sales tax rate
- 6.5% state base rateTypical combined range: 6.5%-12.625%Counties, cities, and special or transit districts add local sales tax on top, so your combined rate depends on your exact address.Arkansas DFA sales and use tax rates
- Food safety cards
- A Certified Food Protection Manager from an accredited program for supervisory staff, plus food safety training for all food employees.
Typical license fees
The Arkansas Department of Health Environmental Health Services issues all retail food establishment permits statewide at a uniform low annual fee for fixed and mobile food operations.
- Most food businesses
- $35 a year
- Pop-up or farmers market vendor
- $5 a day
Plan review runs 1 percent of estimated construction cost, minimum $50 and maximum $500. Retail food stores with gross annual sales under $150,000 and public schools are exempt from the annual fee. Arkansas sales tax permit registration costs $50 one time.
Fee schedule, last verified July 14, 2026.
Official links, last verified July 14, 2026. Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees before you apply.