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Food & Drink

Restaurants, Bars, and Sidewalk Cafes; Food Trucks and Carts; Grocery Stores; Farmers Markets; Community Kitchens (Commissaries), Food Manufacturers (for Wholesale)

Community Kitchen or Commissary

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Obtain a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

Every individual, partnership, association and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return in whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year. Rental activities are usually considered business activities.

Obtain a Commercial Activity License

An Activity License is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia. This includes businesses that are located outside the city limits but do some or all of their business activity in the City.

Food Preparing and Serving License

This license is required of anyone operating a food establishment where food is prepared or served for public consumption. This includes restaurants, delis, caterers, bars, grocery stores making sandwiches and serving beverages, Child care facilities, etc.

Starting Your Food-related Business

If you serve, sell or prepare foods or beverages you will need to read this guide carefully to ensure compliance with all local regulations.

Cooking Extinguishing Systems

To obtain a Cooking Extinguishing System Permit, gather the materials listed below and submit a completed permit application in-person at the Municipal Services Building (MSB) Concourse at 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

Zoning and Use

The Philadelphia Zoning Code regulates development within the city. Zoning regulations govern land use, the height and size of buildings, population density, parking requirements, signage placement and the character of development on private property, and property uses.

Have a Recycling Plan

All commercial properties receiving private or city waste collection must complete the Commercial Solid Waste and Recycling Plan.

You may also need:

Farmers Market

Download PDF
Obtain a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

Every individual, partnership, association and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return in whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year. Rental activities are usually considered business activities.

Obtain a Commercial Activity License

An Activity License is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia. This includes businesses that are located outside the city limits but do some or all of their business activity in the City.

Farmers Market Registration

This license is required of any person who organizes, manages and operates a farmers' market where growers and producers of horticultural, agricultural, baked goods or handmade products sell those products directly to the public on designated days and times in a designated Farmers Market.

Food Manufacturer for Wholesale

Download PDF
Obtain a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

Every individual, partnership, association and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return in whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year. Rental activities are usually considered business activities.

Obtain a Commercial Activity License

An Activity License is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia. This includes businesses that are located outside the city limits but do some or all of their business activity in the City.

Food Manufacturer License

This form is required to obtain a license to manufacture processed or wholesale food excluding food establishments which deal only in prepackaged food.

Starting Your Food-related Business

If you serve, sell or prepare foods or beverages you will need to read this guide carefully to ensure compliance with all local regulations.

Have a Recycling Plan

All commercial properties receiving private or city waste collection must complete the Commercial Solid Waste and Recycling Plan.

Zoning and Use

The Philadelphia Zoning Code regulates development within the city. Zoning regulations govern land use, the height and size of buildings, population density, parking requirements, signage placement and the character of development on private property, and property uses.

Grocery Store

Download PDF
Obtain a Commercial Activity License

An Activity License is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia. This includes businesses that are located outside the city limits but do some or all of their business activity in the City.

Obtain a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

Every individual, partnership, association and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return in whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year. Rental activities are usually considered business activities.

Food Establishment, Retail Permanent Location

This form is required to obtain a license to operate a retail food establishment with a permanent location, including candy stores and drug stores without soda fountains, grocery and meat markets, etc. This license excludes grocery stores making sandwiches and serving beverages. Square footage is based on total gross store area.

Food Preparing and Serving License

This license is required of anyone operating a food establishment where food is prepared or served for public consumption. This includes restaurants, delis, caterers, bars, grocery stores making sandwiches and serving beverages, Child care facilities, etc.

Have a Recycling Plan

All commercial properties receiving private or city waste collection must complete the Commercial Solid Waste and Recycling Plan.

Recycling and Trash Bin requirements for Food Businesses

Any business that sells prepared or prepackaged food for consumption off the premises MUST provide cans for trash and recycling. These cans must be placed within ten (10) feet of the public entrance to the business during the business’ normal hours of operation.

Zoning and Use

The Philadelphia Zoning Code regulates development within the city. Zoning regulations govern land use, the height and size of buildings, population density, parking requirements, signage placement and the character of development on private property, and property uses.

Mobile Food Business

Download PDF
Guide to Permits and Licenses for Opening a Mobile Food Business

Mobile food vending units include trucks, trailer hitch units, pushcarts, stands and foot peddlers must complete the required plan review application for a mobile food business.

Obtain a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

Every individual, partnership, association and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return in whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year. Rental activities are usually considered business activities.

Obtain a Commercial Activity License

An Activity License is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia. This includes businesses that are located outside the city limits but do some or all of their business activity in the City.

Food Establishment, Retail Non-Permanent Location

This form is required to obtain a license to operate a retail food establishment that is not permanent. This includes vehicles, movable stands, carts, etc.

Restaurant/Bar

Download PDF
Starting Your Food-related Business

If you serve, sell or prepare foods or beverages you will need to read this guide carefully to ensure compliance with all local regulations.

Obtain a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

Every individual, partnership, association and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return in whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year. Rental activities are usually considered business activities.

Obtain a Commercial Activity License

An Activity License is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia. This includes businesses that are located outside the city limits but do some or all of their business activity in the City.

Food Preparing and Serving License

This license is required of anyone operating a food establishment where food is prepared or served for public consumption. This includes restaurants, delis, caterers, bars, grocery stores making sandwiches and serving beverages, Child care facilities, etc.

Have a Recycling Plan

All commercial properties receiving private or city waste collection must complete the Commercial Solid Waste and Recycling Plan.

Recycling and Trash Bin requirements for Food Businesses

Any business that sells prepared or prepackaged food for consumption off the premises MUST provide cans for trash and recycling. These cans must be placed within ten (10) feet of the public entrance to the business during the business’ normal hours of operation.