Permits
Coffee and cart permits in North Dakota
To sell coffee in North Dakota, 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.
53 counties in North Dakota. 2 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 North Dakota
In North Dakota, retail food and mobile food unit licenses are issued by ND Health and Human Services Food and Lodging or a local public health agency depending on jurisdiction, with statewide reciprocity for units licensed by ND HHS.
- Food & vending permits
- ND HHS Food and Lodging, mobile food unit licensing, jurisdictions map, and reciprocity
- Sales tax permit
- Sales tax permit, ND Office of State Tax Commissioner
- Sales tax rate
- 5% state base rateTypical combined range: 5%-8.5%Counties, cities, and special or transit districts add local sales tax on top, so your combined rate depends on your exact address.North Dakota Tax sales tax rates
- Food safety cards
- No statewide food handler card; the state follows the FDA Food Code and local agencies may require food protection manager training.
Typical license fees
North Dakota sets food establishment license fees in NDAC Chapter 33-33-08. Depending on jurisdiction, licenses are issued by the state HHS Food and Lodging program or by a local public health agency, using the same state fee schedule.
- Most food businesses
- About $130 a year
- Brick and mortar cafe with seats
- About $130 to $310 a year
- Pop-up or farmers market vendor
- About $50 per event
Restaurant fees under NDAC 33-33-08-01 are $130 base plus $0.50 per seat with a maximum of $310 per year. A limited service restaurant or counter-style operation pays $130 flat. Mobile units pay $130 per year. Temporary food service events pay $50 per event with a statewide maximum of $250 per year. North Dakota sales tax registration is free via the ND Office of State Tax Commissioner at tap.tax.nd.gov.
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.