The agencies state $78,881 in initial fees across 5 of the 9 items; 1 are free; 3 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top and depend on the space.
How much does it cost to open a coffee shop in Washington?
$78,881 in state fees the agencies state, across 5 of the 9 licenses, permits and registrations; 1 are free; 3 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top.
What the state publishes for a coffee shop in Washington
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $78,881initial fees across 5 of 9 items
- Free items
- 1no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 3by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 9in the order to get them
Initial fees as each agency states them, summed; renewals are not included. Where a fee depends on size or sales the range is the lowest to the highest stated. Members see each row’s fee, its renewal and the official page.
Set up the business
Item Agency Fee Certificate of formation (LLC) and the annual report Washington Secretary of State Premium only Trade name registration (DBA) Washington Department of Revenue Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee State business license: Department of Revenue tax registration (sales tax and B&O) and employer accounts Washington Department of Revenue Premium only City business license (city endorsement) Your city Premium only Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning approval and certificate of occupancy Your city or county planning and building departments Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food establishment permit Your local health jurisdiction Premium only Food worker cards and the certified food protection manager Your local health jurisdiction Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, workers’ compensation through the state fund, paid leave premiums and new hire reporting Washington Employment Security Department Premium only
What comes on top of the fees
The state publishes its fees; the space sets the rest. These work it out from your own numbers.
- Rent the business can carryMonthly sales, or seats and average check, to the base rent that fits a healthy occupancy share.Rent-to-sales calculator
- The real cost of a NNN leaseBase rent plus CAM, property taxes and insurance, each month.NNN lease calculator
- The steps in orderThe same items as a walk-through you tick off, with progress saved to your account.How to open
Fees are shown to members as published. Create an account.
Sources and dates
Secretary of State LLC filing resource page and filings, forms and information page (fee list); Department of Revenue business license application pages; WAC 458-02-200 (handling fees); IRS EIN page; WAC 458-02-200 (Business Licensing Service fees); Department of Revenue apply for a business license and tax registration pages; Department of Revenue city endorsements pages; city license ordinances; State Building Code Council; city and county development codes; Department of Health food business pages; WAC 246-215 (food service); Public Health Seattle and King County food and facilities program fees for 2026; King County Board of Health Code Title 5; Chapter 69.06 RCW (food worker cards); WAC 246-215-02107 (person in charge and certified food protection manager); Department of Health food worker pages; Employment Security Department tax rate and taxable wage base pages (2026); Labor and Industries employers’ guide to workers’ compensation insurance (F101-002-000); DSHS new hire reporting page. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.