Any business handling food (restaurant, caterer, mobile vendor, cottage food operation, market stall) requires a health permit from the county before opening.

The permit is tied to a facility inspection, so it interacts with your lease and your build-out timeline. Operating without one can mean immediate closure. Not yet confirmed by LAEDC.

This is the milestone most likely to delay an opening date, which is why it sits early on the route.

Every LA County specific below is unconfirmed by LAEDC and needs checking against Environmental Health before you rely on it.

Expect to need your entity documents, business licence, the facility address, floor plans or equipment lists for a fixed site, a food safety manager certification, and a fee that varies by facility type.

Plan for weeks, not days. An inspection has to be scheduled.