Start a food business in California
How to open a restaurant in Riverside County
Sources checked October 2, 2026. Informational only, not legal advice.
Who inspects
Who inspects
in Riverside County.
Riverside County Department of Environmental Health
Phone (888) 722-4234. Its food page
What's different in Riverside County
- Its own food handler card: Riverside County Food Handler Certificate, within 7 days of hire, valid 2 years (Riverside County Environmental Health).
- Its own inspection results: Letter grades, scored out of 100: A 90–100, B 80–89, C 0–79.
- After inspections: Your grade card, at or near each entrance customers use; only the county takes it down.
- Home kitchens (MEHKO) are permitted here.
The main list
Open a restaurant,
step by step.
In order. Do them top to bottom.
- Get your plans approved before you build or remodel
California law: plans go to the county or city first, and work starts only after they approve them.
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Phone (951) 358-5172. Its page.
Bring: Plans drawn to scale; Equipment and finish specifications.
When: Before you build or remodel.
Source: HSC 114380(a)
- Get a seller's permit from CDTFA (free)
You sell food and drinks, so the state tax agency needs to know you. The permit costs nothing.
Who: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Phone 1-800-400-7115.
Source: CDTFA Publication 73
- Get your city or county business license
Cities license businesses inside city limits; the county does in unincorporated areas. We haven't read your city's rule.
Confirm with your city hall (or the county, outside city limits). Phone (888) 722-4234.
- Get your health permit
California law: a food business can't open without a valid health permit from the county or city.
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Its page.
When: Before you open.
Source: HSC 114381(a)
- Fire and building sign-off
Cooking hoods, fire extinguishers and occupancy are your fire marshal's and building department's. We haven't read your city's rule.
Confirm with your city hall (or the county, outside city limits). Phone (888) 722-4234.
- If you'll serve alcohol: an ABC license, and RBS training for servers
Alcohol needs a license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (for a restaurant, often type 41 or 47). Every server and their manager is RBS-certified within 60 days of starting.
Who: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), your district office.
- Your opening inspection
The county or city inspects before (or right after) the permit. Ask them how to book it.
Confirm with Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Phone (888) 722-4234.
- Get a certified food protection manager
California law: at least one owner or employee is certified. A new place has 60 days; the certificate lasts 5 years.
Who: An ANSI-accredited food protection manager exam.
When: Within 60 days.
Source: HSC 113947.1, 113947.3
- Put up the required signs
California law: the permit where customers see it, a handwashing sign at every hand sink, a notice that your latest inspection report is here, and "No smoking" at each entrance.
Who: You.
Source: HSC 114381(e), 113953.5, 113725.1; Labor Code 6404.5
- Post the Prop 65 food warning (10 or more employees)
California law: a business with 10 or more employees warns customers about chemicals in some foods. Use an 8½ × 11 sign at each entrance, a 5 × 5 sign at each register, or the warning on your menu. Serving alcohol adds the alcohol warning.
Who: You.
- After your first inspection: post your grade card or placard
Your grade card, at or near each entrance customers use; only the county takes it down.
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Its page.
Source: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health: grade or placard posting rule
- Riverside County Food Handler Certificate for your team
Only the Riverside County certificate counts here; the state card is not accepted. Certificates last 2 years.
Who: Riverside County Environmental Health.
When: Within 7 days.
Source: Riverside County Code 8.44.030 (food handler certificate required)
Get this checklist as a PDF
Print it, tick off each step and bring it to Riverside County Department of Environmental Health: who to call, what to bring and when, on paper.
Coffee shop or café
Open a coffee shop,
step by step.
- Get your plans approved before you build or remodel
California law: plans go to the county or city first, and work starts only after they approve them.
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Phone (951) 358-5172. Its page.
Bring: Plans drawn to scale; Equipment and finish specifications.
When: Before you build or remodel.
Source: HSC 114380(a)
- Get a seller's permit from CDTFA (free)
You sell food and drinks, so the state tax agency needs to know you. The permit costs nothing.
Who: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Phone 1-800-400-7115.
Source: CDTFA Publication 73
- Get your city or county business license
Cities license businesses inside city limits; the county does in unincorporated areas. We haven't read your city's rule.
Confirm with your city hall (or the county, outside city limits). Phone (888) 722-4234.
- Get your health permit
California law: a food business can't open without a valid health permit from the county or city.
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Its page.
When: Before you open.
Source: HSC 114381(a)
- Fire and building sign-off
Cooking hoods, fire extinguishers and occupancy are your fire marshal's and building department's. We haven't read your city's rule.
Confirm with your city hall (or the county, outside city limits). Phone (888) 722-4234.
- If you'll serve alcohol: an ABC license, and RBS training for servers
Alcohol needs a license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (for a restaurant, often type 41 or 47). Every server and their manager is RBS-certified within 60 days of starting.
Who: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), your district office.
- Your opening inspection
The county or city inspects before (or right after) the permit. Ask them how to book it.
Confirm with Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Phone (888) 722-4234.
- Get a certified food protection manager
California law: at least one owner or employee is certified. A new place has 60 days; the certificate lasts 5 years.
Who: An ANSI-accredited food protection manager exam.
When: Within 60 days.
Source: HSC 113947.1, 113947.3
- Put up the required signs
California law: the permit where customers see it, a handwashing sign at every hand sink, a notice that your latest inspection report is here, and "No smoking" at each entrance.
Who: You.
Source: HSC 114381(e), 113953.5, 113725.1; Labor Code 6404.5
- Post the Prop 65 food warning (10 or more employees)
California law: a business with 10 or more employees warns customers about chemicals in some foods. Use an 8½ × 11 sign at each entrance, a 5 × 5 sign at each register, or the warning on your menu. Serving alcohol adds the alcohol warning.
Who: You.
- After your first inspection: post your grade card or placard
Your grade card, at or near each entrance customers use; only the county takes it down.
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Its page.
Source: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health: grade or placard posting rule
- Riverside County Food Handler Certificate for your team
Only the Riverside County certificate counts here; the state card is not accepted. Certificates last 2 years.
Who: Riverside County Environmental Health.
When: Within 7 days.
Source: Riverside County Code 8.44.030 (food handler certificate required)
Food truck or cart
Open a food truck,
step by step.
- Get your plans approved before you build or remodel
California law: plans go to the county or city first, and work starts only after they approve them.
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Phone (951) 358-5172. Its page.
Bring: Plans drawn to scale; Equipment and finish specifications.
When: Before you build or remodel.
Source: HSC 114380(a)
- Get a seller's permit from CDTFA (free)
You sell food and drinks, so the state tax agency needs to know you. The permit costs nothing.
Who: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Phone 1-800-400-7115.
Source: CDTFA Publication 73
- Get your city or county business license
Cities license businesses inside city limits; the county does in unincorporated areas. We haven't read your city's rule.
Confirm with your city hall (or the county, outside city limits). Phone (888) 722-4234.
- Line up your commissary
California law: a food truck works out of a commissary or another approved place, and is cleaned and serviced there every day it runs.
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Its page.
Source: HSC 114295, 114297
- Get your mobile food facility permit
California law: no food business, truck included, opens without a valid permit from the county or city.
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Its page.
When: Before you open.
Source: HSC 114381(a)
- Fire and building sign-off
Cooking hoods, fire extinguishers and occupancy are your fire marshal's and building department's. We haven't read your city's rule.
Confirm with your city hall (or the county, outside city limits). Phone (888) 722-4234.
- Your opening inspection
The county or city inspects before (or right after) the permit. Ask them how to book it.
Confirm with Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Phone (888) 722-4234.
- Get a certified food protection manager
California law: at least one owner or employee is certified. A new place has 60 days; the certificate lasts 5 years.
Who: An ANSI-accredited food protection manager exam.
When: Within 60 days.
Source: HSC 113947.1, 113947.3
- Put up the required signs
California law: the permit where customers see it, a handwashing sign at every hand sink, a notice that your latest inspection report is here, and "No smoking" at each entrance.
Who: You.
Source: HSC 114381(e), 113953.5, 113725.1; Labor Code 6404.5
- Post the Prop 65 food warning (10 or more employees)
California law: a business with 10 or more employees warns customers about chemicals in some foods. Use an 8½ × 11 sign at each entrance, a 5 × 5 sign at each register, or the warning on your menu. Serving alcohol adds the alcohol warning.
Who: You.
- Riverside County Food Handler Certificate for your team
Only the Riverside County certificate counts here; the state card is not accepted. Certificates last 2 years.
Who: Riverside County Environmental Health.
When: Within 7 days.
Source: Riverside County Code 8.44.030 (food handler certificate required)
Event booth
Open an event booth,
step by step.
- Get a seller's permit from CDTFA (free)
You sell food and drinks, so the state tax agency needs to know you. The permit costs nothing.
Who: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Phone 1-800-400-7115.
Source: CDTFA Publication 73
- Get your city or county business license
Cities license businesses inside city limits; the county does in unincorporated areas. We haven't read your city's rule.
Confirm with your city hall (or the county, outside city limits). Phone (888) 722-4234.
- Get a temporary food facility permit for the event
California law: a booth at a community event (up to 25 days in any 90) needs a permit. Each county sets how far ahead to apply.
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Its page.
When: Before the event.
Source: HSC 113755, 114381
- Put up the required signs
California law: the permit where customers see it, a handwashing sign at every hand sink, a notice that your latest inspection report is here, and "No smoking" at each entrance.
Who: You.
Source: HSC 114381(e), 113953.5, 113725.1; Labor Code 6404.5
- Post the Prop 65 food warning (10 or more employees)
California law: a business with 10 or more employees warns customers about chemicals in some foods. Use an 8½ × 11 sign at each entrance, a 5 × 5 sign at each register, or the warning on your menu. Serving alcohol adds the alcohol warning.
Who: You.
- Riverside County Food Handler Certificate for your team
Only the Riverside County certificate counts here; the state card is not accepted. Certificates last 2 years.
Who: Riverside County Environmental Health.
When: Within 7 days.
Source: Riverside County Code 8.44.030 (food handler certificate required)
Home kitchen (MEHKO)
Open a home kitchen (MEHKO),
step by step.
- Get a seller's permit from CDTFA (free)
You sell food and drinks, so the state tax agency needs to know you. The permit costs nothing.
Who: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Phone 1-800-400-7115.
Source: CDTFA Publication 73
- Get your home kitchen (MEHKO) permit
Only where your county or city has said yes. Up to 30 meals a day and 90 a week, and up to 110,442 dollars a year (2026).
Who: Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Its page.
When: Before you open.
Source: HSC 114367, 113825
- Put up the required signs
California law: the permit where customers see it, a handwashing sign at every hand sink, a notice that your latest inspection report is here, and "No smoking" at each entrance.
Who: You.
Source: HSC 114381(e), 113953.5, 113725.1; Labor Code 6404.5
- Post the Prop 65 food warning (10 or more employees)
California law: a business with 10 or more employees warns customers about chemicals in some foods. Use an 8½ × 11 sign at each entrance, a 5 × 5 sign at each register, or the warning on your menu. Serving alcohol adds the alcohol warning.
Who: You.
Cottage food
Start a cottage food business,
step by step.
- Register your cottage food operation (Class A) or get its permit (Class B)
A cottage food operation registers (Class A, direct sales) or gets a permit (Class B, also through stores and restaurants) with the local agency before it sells. Current yearly sales caps: 75,000 dollars for Class A, 150,000 dollars for Class B.
Who: Your county or city environmental health agency. Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. Its page.
- Get a seller's permit from CDTFA (free)
You sell food and drinks, so the state tax agency needs to know you. The permit costs nothing.
Who: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Phone 1-800-400-7115.
Source: CDTFA Publication 73
- Get your city or county business license
Cities license businesses inside city limits; the county does in unincorporated areas. We haven't read your city's rule.
Confirm with your city hall (or the county, outside city limits). Phone (888) 722-4234.
County facts
Riverside County
at a glance.
| Inspection scoring | Letter grades, scored out of 100: A 90–100, B 80–89, C 0–79. |
|---|---|
| Home kitchens (MEHKO) | Yes, permitted here. |
| Food handler card | Riverside County Food Handler Certificate, within 7 days of hire, valid 2 years (Riverside County Environmental Health). |
| Prop 65 food warning | A Prop 65 food warning: an 8½ × 11 sign (28-point type) at each public entrance, OR a 5 × 5 sign (20-point) at each register, OR the warning on your menu. In English and any other language your signs or menu use. |
Sources checked . Informational only, not legal advice. Confirm with Riverside County Department of Environmental Health before you spend money.
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