Florida city permit guide
A Miami restaurant usually needs state food-service licensing plus City of Miami and Miami-Dade business tax layers. Most City of Miami businesses need a Certificate of Use before getting a Business Tax Receipt.
Last reviewed May 2026. This guide is informational and is not legal advice.
Direct answer
Yes. The City of Miami says most businesses need a Certificate of Use before they can get a Business Tax Receipt, and restaurants should also track the Miami-Dade Local Business Tax Receipt and DBPR food-service license.
City of Miami Business Tax ReceiptLocal overlap
A Miami restaurant may need both the City of Miami Certificate of Use/BTR path and the Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt, plus DBPR, sales tax, fire, alcohol, and grease-related items when applicable.
Miami-Dade Local Business Tax ReceiptPermit checklist
Start with the address and use of the space. New openings, remodels, ownership changes, alcohol service, mobile operations, and special equipment can each add requirements.
Also seen as: CU, BTR, occupational license
The City of Miami says every business needs a Business Tax Receipt to operate, and most businesses need a Certificate of Use before they can get the BTR.
Also seen as: Seating Food Service (2010), DBPR restaurant license
Florida DBPR licenses many public food service establishments. Restaurants should verify plan review, license class, posting, and renewal requirements before opening.
Also known historically as: occupational license
Miami-Dade requires local business tax receipts, and businesses located inside municipalities may have both city and county receipt requirements.
Also connected to: DOR registration, ABT license, 2COP, 4COP, SRX/SFS
Restaurants making taxable sales should verify DOR registration. Restaurants selling alcohol also need the correct DBPR Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco license.
Why it gets missed
Most City of Miami businesses need the Certificate of Use before finalizing the Business Tax Receipt.
The City process does not replace Miami-Dade County local business tax obligations.
The posted DBPR license may use a class name that differs from checklist language.
Tenant improvements can add building, fire, grease, hood, and zoning approvals.
PermitWatchdog workflow
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