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Permits

Coffee and cart permits in New Jersey

To sell coffee in New Jersey, 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.

21 counties in New Jersey. 19 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 New Jersey

In New Jersey, retail food establishments are licensed by the local municipal or county health department under New Jersey Department of Health rules.

Food & vending permits
NJ Dept. of Health, retail food program (licensed locally)
Sales tax permit
Business registration & Certificate of Authority, NJ Division of Revenue
Sales tax rate
6.625% statewide sales tax rateThis is a single statewide rate with no county or city sales tax added on top.New Jersey Treasury sales and use tax
Food safety cards
At least one ANSI-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager supervising the operation.

Typical license fees

New Jersey does not license food establishments at the state level. Your retail food license comes from your local health authority, which is your municipality or a county health department acting for it, so the fee is set locally and varies from one town to the next.

Because each municipality sets its own license fee by ordinance, there is no single statewide or countywide amount. A few New Jersey counties run the health department and issue licenses directly, while most licensing happens at the town level. Contact your municipal or county health office for the current fee and renewal schedule.

Official links, last verified July 14, 2026. Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees before you apply.

Counties with a detailed permit guide in New Jersey