FDACS Food Permit (wholesale, manufacturing, retail bakery without seating, frozen dessert plant): Miami restaurant guide

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — Division of Food Safety

What it is

Florida splits food regulation three ways: DBPR licenses restaurants, DOH licenses institutional kitchens and no-food bars, and FDACS permits everyone who manufactures, packages, wholesales or sells food retail without table service. If you sell packaged food to other businesses, run a wholesale bakery, or make frozen desserts for wholesale, you need an FDACS food permit in addition to (or instead of) the DBPR license.

When a restaurant needs it

Before manufacturing or wholesaling any food. A frozen dessert plant that offers products for wholesale needs the separate ch. 502 frozen dessert permit ($200 initial, $100 renewal).

How to apply

Submit the Food Permit Application (FDACS-14306) with plans for a new facility, pass the FDACS opening inspection, and pay the annual fee for your establishment type.

Documents you’ll need

Food Permit Application FDACS-14306
Floor plan and equipment list for new facilities
Product list and process descriptions
Water/sewer and pest-control information

Fee

Statute caps the food permit fee at $650 ('Such fees may not exceed $650'); the actual amount is set by establishment type in Rule 5K-4.020, F.A.C. (for example retail bakery, wholesale bakery, food processor), plus a $100 late fee on late renewals. Frozen dessert plant permit: $200 initial, $100 renewal (s. 502.053).

Processing time

Varies; the opening inspection is scheduled after the application is processed.

Renewal

Annually on the permit anniversary date.

Who files

The business owner or an authorized agent applies.

Good to know

FDACS's own website blocked automated verification, so apply through fdacs.gov and confirm the fee for your category by phone before paying. A DBPR-licensed restaurant that only sells its own food to walk-in customers does not need this permit.

Official source

Section 500.12, F.S. — FDACS food permits · Rule 5K-4.020, F.A.C. — food permit requirements and fees

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.