Restaurant License Requirements in Long Beach, CA

Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and 21 U.S.C. § 2201 apply to all restaurants serving food to the public. All restaurants must obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service under 26 U.S.C. § 501, which is required for payroll, tax filings, and business operations.

Restaurants with alcohol service must comply with federal Alcoholic and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations under 26 U.S.C. § 4181. If serving alcohol, you must comply with federal labeling and record-keeping requirements. All restaurants with employees must comply with federal employment tax requirements under 26 U.S.C. § 3401, including federal income tax withholding and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes.

Restaurants must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements under 42 U.S.C. § 12101, including accessible entrances, restrooms, parking, and seating areas. If your restaurant exceeds 15 employees, you must comply with federal antidiscrimination laws under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Restaurants serving meat products must comply with USDA inspection requirements under 21 U.S.C. § 601 if you process meat on-site; otherwise, you must source from USDA-inspected suppliers.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations under 29 U.S.C. § 651 apply to workplace safety, including kitchen equipment, chemical storage, and employee safety protocols. If you have more than one employee, you must maintain workers' compensation insurance under federal requirements. Immigration compliance under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 requires I-9 verification for all employees.

Long Beach restaurants must comply with multiple local permit requirements beyond the state health permit. A business license is required from the City of Long Beach and costs $125-$350 depending on gross revenue projections; apply through the Long Beach Business Tax Registration System or in person at the Department of Finance.

Zoning approval is essential—your restaurant location must be in a zone permitting food service operations. The Long Beach Planning Department determines zoning compliance. If your property is not zoned for a restaurant, you must apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which involves a public hearing and costs $2,500-$5,000. This process typically takes 8-12 weeks.

A seller's permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov) is required to legally sell food and beverages and collect sales tax. Application is free and takes 1-2 days online. Fire department approval is required to verify kitchen fire suppression systems, emergency exits, and occupancy capacity. The Long Beach Fire Department conducts a fire safety inspection at no cost but may require equipment upgrades (budget $1,000-$3,000 for systems).

Signage permits are required if you have exterior signage. The Long Beach Planning Department reviews sign applications for compliance with municipal code § 5.87. A building permit may be required if you're performing construction or significant renovations to fit out the restaurant space; costs range from $500-$2,000+ depending on scope.

If serving alcohol, a Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license is required from the State of California (not Long Beach directly), costing $400-$600 and taking 6-12 weeks. Major Long Beach jurisdictions strictly enforce these requirements; violations result in citations and potential closure orders.

The complete first-year cost to open a restaurant in Long Beach ranges from $5,600 to $9,850, accounting for all required licenses, permits, inspections, and training. Here is the detailed breakdown:

State-level requirements total $700-$850. The California Health Permit for Food Facilities costs $475-$625. California Food Handler Cards for all employees cost $10-$15 per person; budget $150-$250 for initial staff of 10-15 employees. A seller's permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration is free but mandatory.

Local Long Beach requirements total $4,400-$7,000. The Long Beach Business License costs $125-$350. Fire Department approval and potential fire suppression system upgrades cost $1,000-$3,000 (systems may already exist but often require updates). A Conditional Use Permit, if needed due to zoning issues, costs $2,500-$5,000 plus 8-12 weeks processing time. Signage permits cost $100-$300. Building permits for renovations cost $500-$2,000+ depending on scope.

Alcohol licensing (if serving alcohol) adds $400-$600 for a Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license from the State of California, plus 6-12 weeks for approval.

Federal requirements include an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is free. Workers' compensation insurance typically costs $1,200-$2,500 annually depending on payroll size. General liability insurance for the restaurant costs $800-$1,500 annually. Total first-year cost estimate: $5,600-$9,850 (excluding build-out, equipment, inventory, and real estate costs).

Long Beach health permits must be renewed annually. The renewal deadline is typically the anniversary date of your original permit issuance. Renewal notices are sent 30 days before expiration. The renewal fee is $475-$625, matching the initial permit cost. To renew, submit the renewal application to the Long Beach Health and Human Services Department and schedule a routine health inspection, which occurs annually regardless of compliance history.

Renewal inspections verify ongoing compliance with food safety standards, sanitation practices, temperature control, and employee food handler certification status. All current employees must maintain valid California Food Handler Cards; expired cards must be renewed before the health permit renewal is approved. Renewal can be completed online through the Long Beach Health Department portal or in person.

If you miss the renewal deadline, your health permit expires and you cannot legally operate your restaurant. Operating with an expired permit results in civil penalties of $250-$1,000 per day and potential health code citations. The health department may issue a cease-and-desist order requiring immediate closure. To reinstate an expired permit, you must reapply as if applying for the first time, including a full inspection and all documentation, effectively restarting the 4-6 week process. Some violations discovered during renewal (such as pest infestation or temperature control failures) may result in provisional permits with mandatory re-inspection timelines of 24-72 hours.

Operating a restaurant without a valid health permit in Long Beach violates California Health and Safety Code § 113700 and results in significant penalties. Operating without a permit incurs civil fines of $250-$1,000 per day of violation. If violations are egregious or repeated, criminal penalties under California Health and Safety Code § 114381 can include misdemeanor charges with fines up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

The Long Beach Health and Human Services Department discovers unlicensed operations through customer complaints, routine neighborhood inspections, or follow-up investigations. Once an inspection identifies unlicensed operation, the health department issues an immediate cease-and-desist order requiring the restaurant to stop all food service operations until permits are obtained. Continued operation after a cease-and-desist order results in escalated penalties and potential criminal prosecution.

Operating without a business license under Long Beach Municipal Code § 5.75 results in fines of $50-$500 per day. Operating without a seller's permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration results in penalties equal to the sales tax owed plus penalties of 10% per month (up to 100% total). Insurance claims may be denied if an accident or foodborne illness outbreak occurs at an unlicensed establishment, exposing you to unlimited personal liability.

If a foodborne illness outbreak is traced to an unlicensed restaurant, the Long Beach Health Department may pursue additional charges under California Health and Safety Code § 109971 (Food Safety violations), with penalties up to $5,000 and mandatory closure. The California Department of Consumer Affairs can also pursue administrative action against associated individuals. Unlicensed operation creates personal liability for any injuries or illnesses; victims can sue the business owner directly without the protections that licensed, insured operations have. A single contamination incident at an unlicensed restaurant can result in combined civil and criminal penalties exceeding $50,000.