| City of Columbia Business License |
City of Columbia Finance Department — Business License Division |
Start Soon |
| Zoning Verification / Location Approval |
City of Columbia Community Development — Planning & Zoning |
Start First |
| Building Permit(s) for Restaurant Buildout |
City of Columbia Community Development — Building & Site Development |
Start First |
| Fire Permit/Inspection for Commercial Cooking and Hood Suppression |
City of Columbia Fire Department — Fire Permits & Planning |
Start First |
| Food Manager Certification |
City of Columbia Health & Human Services — Environmental Public Health |
Start Soon |
| Food Handler Cards (Staff) |
City of Columbia Health & Human Services — Environmental Public Health |
Start Soon |
| Responsible Beverage Server Certificate (if serving alcohol) |
City of Columbia Health & Human Services |
Start Soon |
| Alcoholic Beverage License (City of Columbia) — if serving alcohol |
City of Columbia Finance Department — Business License Division |
Start Soon |
| Commercial Trash and Recycling Service Setup |
City of Columbia — Solid Waste Utility |
Also Recommended |
| Missouri Sales Tax License (Sales/Use Tax Registration) |
Missouri Department of Revenue |
Start Soon |
| Employer Identification Number (EIN) |
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
Start Soon |
| Fictitious Name (DBA) Registration — if using a trade name |
Missouri Secretary of State — Business Services |
Also Recommended |
| State Entity Registration (LLC/Corporation) — if forming an entity |
Missouri Secretary of State — Business Services |
Start Soon |
| Workers’ Compensation Insurance (MO) |
Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations — Division of Workers' Compensation |
Start Soon |
| General Liability Insurance |
Private insurance market (often requested by City, landlords, and event sites) |
Also Recommended |
| Certificate of Occupancy / Final Inspections |
City of Columbia Community Development — Building & Site Development |
Start Soon |
| Commercial Sign Permit (City of Columbia) |
City of Columbia — Planning & Development / Building Division |
Start Soon |
| Grease Interceptor / Sewer Connection Approval & Permit |
City of Columbia — Public Works / Utilities (or Environmental Services) |
Start Soon |
| Employer Tax Registrations (Missouri Withholding & Unemployment Insurance) |
Missouri Department of Revenue (withholding) and Missouri Division of Employment Security (unemployment insurance) |
Start Soon |
| Boone County Food Establishment Operating Permit |
Boone County Collector (in coordination with Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services) |
Start Soon |
| Food Establishment Plan Review (Construction or Remodel) |
Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health & Human Services — Environmental Health Division |
Start First |
| Boone County Merchant’s License |
Boone County Collector |
Start Soon |
| Fees Estimate permit fees Open the tracked Columbia fee rows, variable-fee warnings, and source links before budgeting. Estimate fees → |
Boone County Environmental Health Services |
Start Soon |