Permits
Coffee and cart permits in Hillsborough County, NH
Hillsborough County is a major New Hampshire market for a new coffee business. Around 134 coffee and snack bars already operate here, alongside roughly 664 restaurants, so a solid base of demand with moderate competition. Below is who issues permits in Hillsborough County and the steps to open a coffee shop, cart, or trailer.
Local market in Hillsborough County, NH
A broad read on the county around your shop, so you can size up demand before you commit.
These are county figures, so read them as a broad signal. Data from DataUSA (U.S. Census ACS and County Health Rankings).
Permit office
New Hampshire DHHS, Food Protection SectionNew Hampshire licenses food service establishments statewide through the DHHS Food Protection Section (mobile food units included). New applications and renewals are handled via the state online portal; phone 603.271.4589.
Source, last verified July 17, 2026
Statewide rules in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, food service establishments and mobile food units are licensed statewide by the DHHS Food Protection Section, and New Hampshire has no state sales tax.
- Food & vending permits
- NH DHHS Food Protection Section, food service establishment licensing
- Sales tax permit
- State sales tax, New Hampshire has no state sales tax.
- Sales tax rate
- No statewide sales taxNew Hampshire has no general sales tax; it imposes separate meals and rooms, communications services, and other specific taxes.
- Food safety cards
- A Certified Food Protection Manager is required for most food service establishments under NH's FDA Food Code rules (He-P 2300); some low risk operations are exempt.
Typical license fees
New Hampshire DHHS Food Protection Section issues annual food service licenses for most establishments in the state with fees based on seating capacity or service type. Several cities including Manchester, Nashua, and Concord are self-inspecting and set their own local fees independently.
- Most food businesses
- $225 a year
- Brick and mortar cafe with seats
- $225 to $450 a year
The seating tiers for the annual license are $225 for 0 to 24 seats, $350 for 25 to 99 seats, $450 for 100 to 199 seats, and $875 for 200 or more seats. A push cart or cold-holding-only operation is $150 per year. Mobile cook units that prepare and serve food are $225 per year. Temporary food service establishments operating 14 days or fewer at a fixed location during a single event are exempt from the state license requirement and fee. Operators in self-inspecting cities must contact that city for current local fees. New Hampshire has no general state sales tax, so no state seller's permit is required.
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 Hillsborough County health department for a retail food facility permit covering the space where drinks and food are prepared.
KioskCafeMobile 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 truckCateringTemporary 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 truckCateringFire 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 Hillsborough County permits
- Do I need a permit to sell coffee in Hillsborough County?
- Yes. Any coffee shop, cart, or trailer serving drinks or food in Hillsborough County needs a food permit, plus any state registrations that apply 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 Hillsborough County?
- In Hillsborough County, food and mobile vending permits are handled by New Hampshire DHHS, Food Protection Section. You can reach them at 603.271.4589.
- How many coffee shops are in Hillsborough County?
- About 134 coffee and snack bars operate in Hillsborough County, alongside roughly 664 restaurants (2022 Census County Business Patterns). With about 426,378 residents, that is roughly one coffee or snack bar per 3,182 people.
- Do I need a food handler card in Hillsborough County?
- Yes. A Certified Food Protection Manager is required for most food service establishments under NH's FDA Food Code rules (He-P 2300); some low risk operations are exempt.
- How much does a coffee shop or cart permit cost in Hillsborough 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 and a local business license. Confirm current fees with the department before you apply.
Show all 34 ZIP codes in Hillsborough County
Find yours to confirm the exact jurisdiction before you apply.
- 03031
- 03033
- 03043
- 03045
- 03047
- 03048
- 03049
- 03051
- 03052
- 03054
- 03055
- 03057
- 03060
- 03062
- 03063
- 03064
- 03070
- 03071
- 03076
- 03082
- 03084
- 03086
- 03101
- 03102
- 03103
- 03104
- 03109
- 03110
- 03244
- 03281
- 03440
- 03442
- 03449
- 03458