Do I need a permit to sell coffee in San Bernardino County?

Yes. Any coffee shop, cart, or trailer serving drinks or food in San Bernardino County needs a food permit, plus a California sales tax permit and a local business license. Carts, trailers, and trucks are permitted as mobile food units and usually need a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.

Who issues food and mobile vending permits in San Bernardino County?

In San Bernardino County, food and mobile vending permits are handled by San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services. You can reach them at (800) 442-2283.

How many coffee shops are in San Bernardino County?

About 532 coffee and snack bars operate in San Bernardino County, alongside roughly 3,107 restaurants (2022 Census County Business Patterns). With about 2,197,104 residents, that is roughly one coffee or snack bar per 4,130 people.

Do I need a food handler card in San Bernardino County?

Yes. California Food Handler Card for staff, plus a Certified Food Protection Manager for at least one supervisor.

How much does a coffee shop or cart permit cost in San Bernardino County?

Fees vary by permit type and are set by the issuing agency. Food facility and mobile unit permits commonly run from about $100 to several hundred dollars a year, on top of your California sales tax permit (free to register) and a local business license. Confirm current fees with the department before you apply.

Permits

Coffee and cart permits in San Bernardino County, CA

San Bernardino County is one of California's largest markets for a new coffee business. Around 532 coffee and snack bars already operate here, alongside roughly 3,107 restaurants, so expect strong demand and real competition. Below is who issues permits in San Bernardino County and the steps to open a coffee shop, cart, or trailer.

Local market in San Bernardino County, CA

A broad read on the county around your shop, so you can size up demand before you commit.

County population2,197,104Major metroDense demand, more competition. 2024 estimate.

Median household income$84,5766% above the U.S. median household income, 2025 estimate.

These are county figures, so read them as a broad signal. Data from DataUSA (U.S. Census ACS and County Health Rankings).

Permit office

San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services

(800) 442-2283

Source, last verified 2026-07-06

Statewide rules in California

In California, food and mobile vending permits are issued by your county environmental health department under the California Retail Food Code (CalCode).

Food & vending permits: County environmental health, find your county office (CalCode)
Sales tax permit: Seller's permit, CA Dept. of Tax & Fee Administration
Sales tax rate: 7.25% state base rateTypical combined range: 7.25%-10.75%Counties, cities, and special or transit districts add local sales tax on top, so your combined rate depends on your exact address.California CDTFA rate lookup
Food safety cards: California Food Handler Card for staff, plus a Certified Food Protection Manager for at least one supervisor.

Typical license fees

San Bernardino County EHS issues food facility permits billed twice a year in two installments. Fees are set by establishment type, seating, and risk level.

Brick and mortar cafe with seats: About $622 a year for restaurants with up to 24 seats
Counter or kiosk with no seats: About $232 a year for a snack bar with limited food preparation
Mobile cart, trailer, or truck: About $259 to $391 a year based on risk level

Restaurants with 25 to 99 seats pay $731 a year, and restaurants with 100 or more seats pay $841 a year. Catering and temporary food facility permit fees were not confirmed from this official source.

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.

What you need to open

A common order to work through. Filter the cards below by your setup to see just the lines that apply.

1Food safetyFood handler and manager cards
2Business licenseRegister your business locally
3CityLocal permits and zoning
4StateSeller's permit and sales tax

Every setup

Food handler and manager cards
You and your staff carry food handler cards, and at least one manager usually holds a food safety manager certificate.
Business license and registration
Register your business, then get a city or county business license for where you operate.
Seller's permit and state tax
Register for a seller's permit and a state tax account so you can collect and send in sales tax.

Depends on your setup

County health permit
A fixed kiosk or cafe applies to the San Bernardino County health department for a retail food facility permit covering the space where drinks and food are prepared.
KioskCafe
Mobile food facility permit
Serving from a cart, trailer, or truck means a mobile food facility permit, often with a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.
Coffee cartTrailerPop-upFood truckCatering
Temporary food facility permit
Selling at farmers markets, festivals, and other events for a set number of dates usually needs a temporary food facility permit.
TrailerPop-upFood truckCatering
Fire and building sign off
A storefront build out needs zoning and building sign off before you open. A food truck that runs propane or a generator may also need a fire safety inspection.
KioskFood truckCafe

Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees with the department before you apply.

Common questions about San Bernardino County permits

Do I need a permit to sell coffee in San Bernardino County?: Yes. Any coffee shop, cart, or trailer serving drinks or food in San Bernardino County needs a food permit, plus a California sales tax permit and a local business license. Carts, trailers, and trucks are permitted as mobile food units and usually need a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.
Who issues food and mobile vending permits in San Bernardino County?: In San Bernardino County, food and mobile vending permits are handled by San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services. You can reach them at (800) 442-2283.
How many coffee shops are in San Bernardino County?: About 532 coffee and snack bars operate in San Bernardino County, alongside roughly 3,107 restaurants (2022 Census County Business Patterns). With about 2,197,104 residents, that is roughly one coffee or snack bar per 4,130 people.
Do I need a food handler card in San Bernardino County?: Yes. California Food Handler Card for staff, plus a Certified Food Protection Manager for at least one supervisor.
How much does a coffee shop or cart permit cost in San Bernardino County?: Fees vary by permit type and are set by the issuing agency. Food facility and mobile unit permits commonly run from about $100 to several hundred dollars a year, on top of your California sales tax permit (free to register) and a local business license. Confirm current fees with the department before you apply.

Show all 91 ZIP codes in San Bernardino County

Find yours to confirm the exact jurisdiction before you apply.

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