Permits
Coffee and cart permits in Kansas
To sell coffee in Kansas, 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.
105 counties in Kansas. 6 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 Kansas
In Kansas, retail food and mobile food unit permits are issued statewide by the Kansas Dept. of Agriculture (KDA) Food Safety and Lodging program; cities with their own authorized health departments may also issue permits locally.
- Food & vending permits
- Kansas Dept. of Agriculture, Food Safety and Lodging (retail food and mobile unit permits)
- Sales tax permit
- Sales tax registration, Kansas Dept. of Revenue
- Sales tax rate
- 6.5% state base rateTypical combined range: 6.5%-11.5%Counties, cities, and special or transit districts add local sales tax on top, so your combined rate depends on your exact address.Kansas DOR sales tax rate changes
- Food safety cards
- No statewide food handler card; the KDA food code encourages a Certified Food Protection Manager on staff, and enforcement varies by jurisdiction.
Typical license fees
Kansas food establishments are licensed by the Department of Agriculture using a risk-based schedule. Most cafes, food trucks, and caterers are Category I. Each license has a one-time application fee plus an annual renewal fee.
- Most food businesses
- $300 one time, then $250 a year
- Pop-up or farmers market vendor
- $275 one time, then $190 a year for prepackaged or limited menus
Category I applies to any operation that heats or cools temperature-controlled foods, including milk for espresso. Category III covers prepackaged items and self-service beverages only. Licenses expire March 31 each year. Kansas sales tax permit is free.
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.