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Retail Food Establishment - Restaurant

Retail food establishment shall mean a retail operation that serves, stores, prepares, or packages food for sale for human consumption to consumers directly, or indirectly through a delivery service.

A retail food establishment license is needed for a restaurant.

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How to Get a Business License
  • Sole proprietor
  • Partnership
  • Corporation or Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)

 

If you need assistance creating your business, contact the Denver Office of Economic Development or visit their website for more information.

A Zone Use Permit is required before obtaining a Retail Food Establishment license. 

A use permit is a document granting the applicant/owner of a lot, building, or structure permission for the requested use of the land. "Use" can be defined as any activity, occupation, business or operation transacted in a building or on a lot/tract of land.

You can use the resources on the Internet to plan ahead before you lease or buy property and before you apply for your business license.  Follow the steps below to learn more about the approved zone uses for the address where you want to locate your business.  Start on the Find Your Zoning page.
  1. Enter the desired address.  Click Search.
  2. Note the Zone District.
  3. Click on the + to Expand for more information. 
  4. Note the Neighborhood Context.
  5. Click on the link for the Zoning Code or in Former Chapter 59.
  6. Click on the Article # for the Neighborhood Context noted above.
  7. Open the document and scroll to the "Use" tables at the bottom of the document.
  8. Find the "Use" category in the left column and the Zone District in the columns to the right.
  9. The code in the intersecting square represents the permitted use.  (There is a key to the codes at the top of every page.)
Ultimately, the zone use permit for your business license must be approved and issued by the Zoning department.  Learn more about the Denver Zoning Code or visit the Zoning Office.
 
Office Hours and Location
General Hours:  8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Webb Municipal Office Building
201 W. Colfax Avenue, 2nd Floor

 

Phone
All City Services:  (720) 913-1311
General:  (720) 865-3000
 
 
Email

 Seating Capacity  Application Fee  License Fee
 1 - 25  $150.00  $125.00
 26 - 100  $200.00  $200.00
 101 - 500  $250.00  $300.00
 500 +  $300 plus $50 per outlet  $400.00 plus $50 per outlet

 

Fees can be paid with cash, check,  money order or credit card.  Checks should be made payable to Manager of Finance. 

  • Development Services (720) 865-2982
  • Denver Fire Department (720) 913-3409
  • Environmental Health    (720) 865-5401
Once your inspections are completed, bring your signed card to the Department of Excise and Licenses office.  Your license will be issued when the following actions are taken: 
  1. All documents required for the license are complete and submitted to the office
  2. Fees are paid in full
  3. Inspection card is signed and turned in to the office

Renew a Business License

Renew in Person
Come to the Department of Excise and Licenses office.

Request a renewal for your business license.

Once all documentation is complete you will be issued a payment voucher.

Take the payment voucher to the cashier and pay the renewal license fee.

Return to the Department of Excise and Licenses office with your receipt for payment.

Your business license will be printed.

 

Renew by Mail
You can mail in your license renewal along with a check made payable to the Manager of Finance for the total city fees due. Be sure to include your Business File Number (BFN) on your check.

Office Hours and Location
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Webb Municipal Office Building
201 W. Colfax Avenue, 2nd Floor

Phone
All City Services: 311

Mailing Information
Department of Excise and Licenses
201 W. Colfax Ave Dept. 206
Denver, CO 80202

Licenses must be renewed on or before the expiration date to avoid penalty fees.

90 Day Grace Period

There is a 90 day grace period from the expiration date during which licenses can be renewed by paying the license fee and a penalty fee.

First 30 days of grace period:  20% penalty fee

Days 31 - 90:  50% penalty fee

After 90 days:  Licensees will be required to apply for a new license

 

  • Department of Excise and Licenses inspectors will attempt to locate and notify business license holders of the approaching expiration date.  However, failure of an inspector to notify a delinquent licensee that its license has expired does not excuse the licensee from any applicable late penalty.
Municipal Code

Denver Revised Municipal Code

Definition 23-2 (30)

Requirements 23-50

Fees 32-106.5

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Related Links
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Plan Extra Time!

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Inspections and paperwork can take longer than you expect.  Plan extra time to get your license.

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