Food business documents | Department of Licenses and Inspections

City of Philadelphia

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Philadelphia water is safe to drink and use. Philadelphia’s drinking water will not be impacted by the spill on the Delaware River. Read the final update.

If you want to open and operate a food business in Philadelphia, you need to get the appropriate licenses from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). The forms and instructions on this page will help you through the process.

You can apply for food business licenses from L&I online or take your application to the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building Concourse. Do not mail applications.

The Department of Public Health also offers more information about opening a food business.

Name	Description	Released
Cafe plot plan instructions PDF	How to complete a cafe plot plan as part of your sidewalk cafe license application.	March 7, 2019
Food business license application PDF	Application form for a license to prepare or serve food.	November 14, 2022
Guide to opening a stationary food business PDF	A guide to starting or changing a stationary food business.	October 5, 2022
Sidewalk cafe license application PDF	Application form to operate a sidewalk cafe.	November 14, 2022
Streetery license operation information form PDF	Use this form with new streetery license and amended streetery license applications.	October 19, 2022
Streetery license posting notice PDF	This notice must be posted for new and amended streetery license applications.	October 19, 2022