Open a Restaurant in Pinellas County
Restaurants and most food service businesses in Pinellas County are licensed by the Florida DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants, not the county. New builds and remodels require a DBPR plan review (free) before licensing, plus local building permits for the build-out and a city business tax receipt where applicable. Retail food businesses (grocery, markets, bakeries without on-premises service) are permitted by FDACS instead.
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Who needs this
Anyone opening a public food service establishment (restaurant, cafe, takeout, caterer) in Pinellas County.
Steps
- 1
Confirm your regulator: DBPR vs FDACS
DBPR Hotels and Restaurants licenses restaurants, takeout, and caterers. FDACS permits retail food stores: supermarkets, grocery and convenience stores, coffee shops, bakeries, retail meat/seafood markets, juice/smoothie bars, and businesses selling prepackaged foods.
fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food/Food-Establishments/Retail- - 2
Create a DBPR online account and check plan review triggers
Plan review is required if the establishment is newly built or never licensed or closed more than 18 months, remodeled, or changing ownership with a remodel. A change of ownership with no changes to operation, construction, or equipment does not require plan review. Approved plans are valid 18 months. DBPR plan reviews are provided at no charge.
www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/foods - 3
Get local build-out permits
Construction, plumbing, hood/mechanical, and electrical work needs building permits from your city building department, or from Pinellas County Building and Development Review Services if in unincorporated county. Grease trap and utility requirements come from your sewer provider.
pinellas.gov/services/apply-for-a-building-permit/ - 4
Apply for the DBPR license and pay fees
Apply online or with form DBPR HR-7030 (license + plan review) or HR-7005 (plan review only). Application fee is $50 for new or change-of-ownership licenses. Annual license fees vary by seating: $262 (1-49 seats) up to $357 (500+ seats); nonseating/takeout $242; caterers $263. Fees include a $10 Hospitality Education Program fee (Rule 61C-1.008 FAC).
www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/food- - 5
Pass the licensing inspection
Schedule and pass the opening inspection with the Division of Hotels and Restaurants before operating.
www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/foods - 6
Certify managers and train employees
Under FS 509.039, all managers responsible for food operations must pass an approved food protection manager certification test (30 days allowed after employment). Under FS 509.049, food handling employees must be trained within 60 days of hire; certification is valid 3 years.
flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/509.039 - 7
Get the city business tax receipt
If located in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or another municipality, obtain the city BTR. No county BTR exists in Pinellas.
pinellas.gov/occupational-licenses
Requirements
- DBPR plan review approval for new/remodeled locations
- Certified food protection manager(s) and trained food handlers
- Local building permits for build-out
- City business tax receipt where located in a municipality
Documents
- Floor plan and equipment specs for plan review
- Proof of ownership/lease
- Sunbiz registration
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DBPR application fee (new or change of ownership) | $50.00 | |
| DBPR plan review | $0 | Plan reviews are provided at no charge |
| Annual license, seating 1-49 | $262.00 | 50-149 seats $273; 150-249 $294; 250-349 $315; 350-499 $336; 500+ $357; includes $10 HEP fee |
| Annual license, nonseating/takeout | $242.00 | Caterer $263 full year |
| FDACS retail food voluntary plan review | $55.10 | FDACS annual permit fees are based on food activities per Rule 5K-4.020 FAC; exact amounts not published openly |
Good to know
Selling alcohol requires a separate ABT license (see the alcohol workflow). Outdoor seating in city rights-of-way usually needs a separate city sidewalk cafe permit.