Permits
Coffee and cart permits in Laramie County, WY
Laramie County is a midsize Wyoming market for a new coffee business. Around 27 coffee and snack bars already operate here, alongside roughly 126 restaurants, so a solid base of demand with moderate competition. Below is who issues permits in Laramie County and the steps to open a coffee shop, cart, or trailer.
Local market in Laramie County, WY
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).
Statewide rules in Wyoming
In Wyoming, food establishment licenses for coffee shops, food trucks, and mobile food units are issued by the Wyoming Dept. of Agriculture Consumer Health Services, which regulates and inspects food establishments statewide.
- Food & vending permits
- Wyoming Dept. of Agriculture, Consumer Health Services (food establishment licensing)
- Sales tax permit
- Sales tax registration, Wyoming Dept. of Revenue (WYIFS)
- Sales tax rate
- 4% state base rateTypical combined range: 4%-6%Counties, cities, and special or transit districts add local sales tax on top, so your combined rate depends on your exact address.Wyoming Revenue sales and use tax rates
- Food safety cards
- No statewide food handler certification; individual counties or cities may set additional training standards.
Typical license fees
The Wyoming Department of Agriculture Consumer Health Services issues food establishment licenses throughout most of the state at a flat fee regardless of establishment type or size. Six local health departments in specific counties and the city of Laramie issue permits independently.
- Most food businesses
- $200 to start, then about $100 a year
- Pop-up or farmers market vendor
- $50 for a temporary permit up to 14 days
The $200 initial fee applies to all new licenses, ownership changes, and location changes. Licenses must be renewed annually and prominently displayed. Applications are not available online and must be obtained from the local inspector or health department. Establishments in Laramie County, Natrona County, Teton County, Sweetwater County, Sublette County, or the city of Laramie may face different fees through their local health departments. State sales tax registration 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.
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 Laramie 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 Laramie County permits
- Do I need a permit to sell coffee in Laramie County?
- Yes. Any coffee shop, cart, or trailer serving drinks or food in Laramie County needs a food permit, plus a Wyoming sales tax permit 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 Laramie County?
- In Wyoming, food establishment licenses for coffee shops, food trucks, and mobile food units are issued by the Wyoming Dept. of Agriculture Consumer Health Services, which regulates and inspects food establishments statewide. Confirm which office covers Laramie County before you apply.
- How many coffee shops are in Laramie County?
- About 27 coffee and snack bars operate in Laramie County, alongside roughly 126 restaurants (2022 Census County Business Patterns). With about 101,060 residents, that is roughly one coffee or snack bar per 3,743 people.
- Do I need a food handler card in Laramie County?
- Yes. No statewide food handler certification; individual counties or cities may set additional training standards.
- How much does a coffee shop or cart permit cost in Laramie 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, on top of your Wyoming sales tax permit (free to register) and a local business license. Confirm current fees with the department before you apply.
Show all 12 ZIP codes in Laramie County
Find yours to confirm the exact jurisdiction before you apply.
- 82001
- 82005
- 82007
- 82009
- 82050
- 82053
- 82054
- 82059
- 82060
- 82061
- 82081
- 82082