Permits
Coffee and cart permits in Louisiana
To sell coffee in Louisiana, 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.
64 counties in Louisiana. 14 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 Louisiana
In Louisiana, the Dept. of Health Office of Public Health issues retail food permits statewide through licensed State Sanitarians; a plans review is required for all new or substantially renovated food establishments.
- Food & vending permits
- Louisiana Dept. of Health, retail food permits for new businesses
- Sales tax permit
- Sales tax registration, Louisiana Dept. of Revenue
- Sales tax rate
- 5% state base rateTypical combined range: 5%-12.99%Counties, cities, and special or transit districts add local sales tax on top, so your combined rate depends on your exact address.Louisiana Revenue rate lookup
Typical license fees
Louisiana retail food establishment permits are issued statewide by the LDH Office of Public Health. The annual fee is a flat rate for a single-location operator.
- Most food businesses
- $150 a year
- Pop-up or farmers market vendor
- $25 for the entire event
Operators holding more than one permit pay $113 per additional location through the fifth. A plans review fee of $100 applies to new establishments and substantial renovations. Churches and nonprofits are exempt. Louisiana 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.