AUTHORITY: Restaurants in Florida are licensed STATEWIDE by DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants, not by the county. Same fee schedule statewide; the county determines only the licensing district and renewal date. St. Johns County is in DBPR District 5 (renewal date 6/1).
MFDVs that cook/prepare food are DBPR-licensed statewide ($347). Mobile units selling only prepackaged or non-potentially-hazardous foods are FDACS-permitted.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | $263 per year (DBPR Caterer license) plus $10 HEP fee - source https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/food-fees/ | Caterers are DBPR-licensed statewide. |
| Bakery / food processing | FDACS: Retail Bakery with Food Service $490 / Wholesale Bakery $530 per year - source https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/florida/Fla-Admin-Code-Ann-R-5K-4-020 | Retail/wholesale bakeries and food processors are permitted by FDACS under Rule 5K-4.020, F.A.C. A bakery with on-premises seated dining is instead DBPR-licensed by seats. |
| Bar / limited food service | DBPR Public Food Service Establishment license by seating (Nonseating $242 / 1-49 seats $262, etc.) plus $10 HEP - source https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/food-fees/ | A bar/lounge that serves food is licensed by DBPR as a public food service establishment by seat count; alcohol beverage licensing is separate through DBPR ABT. |
| Grocery / market with deli | FDACS: Supermarket $650 / Grocery Store $540 per year; Convenience Store $330 (basic) / $430 (limited food service) / $475 (significant food service); Meat Market $455; Seafood Market $410 - source https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/florida/Fla-Admin-Code-Ann-R-5K-4-020 | Groceries, supermarkets, convenience stores and markets are permitted by FDACS Division of Food Safety, not DBPR. |
| Temporary / seasonal event | DBPR Temporary Food Service Events $91-$456 depending on event duration - source https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/food-fees/ ; FDACS Semi-permanent Vendor $195 - source https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/florida/Fla-Admin-Code-Ann-R-5K-4-020 | DBPR handles temporary food service events tied to restaurants; FDACS covers semi-permanent retail vendors. |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | DBPR Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle / Hot Dog Cart $347 per year plus $10 HEP - source https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/food-fees/ ; FDACS Mobile Vendor $300 (prepackaged/non-hazardous) - source https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/florida/Fla-Admin-Code-Ann-R-5K-4-020 | Cooking/prep mobile units are DBPR-licensed ($347); prepackaged/non-PHF mobile units are FDACS-permitted ($300). |