Who needs a retail food establishment license in New Jersey?
Issued by Your local health department, under the state food code (N.J.A.C. 8:24), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Submit plans to the local health department before building out or converting a space, pass the opening inspection, then post the license. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops are all retail food establishments under the code.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your local health department, under the state food code (N.J.A.C. 8:24).
Sources and dates
Department of Health retail food program; municipal retail food license ordinances. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Submit plans to the local health department before building out or converting a space, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Submit plans to the local health department before building out or converting a space, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Submit plans to the local health department before building out or converting a space, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Submit plans to the local health department before building out or converting a space, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Submit plans to the local health department before building out or converting a space, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Submit plans to the local health department before building out or converting a space, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Submit plans to the local health department before building out or converting a space, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Submit plans to the local health department before building out or converting a space, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
Yes. Submit plans to the local health department before building out or converting a space, pass the opening inspection, then post the license.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In New Jersey it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
Your local health department, under the state food code (N.J.A.C. 8:24).
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a retail food establishment license in New Jersey?
