Vending Machine Permits and Licenses

Adding a vending machine or two to your lobby or office can bring in an extra revenue stream with minimal effort. But before you start raking in the money, start by getting your vending machine license or permit so you’re in compliance. Each state requires you to have a vending machine permit or license before you can install a device on your premises. If the machine takes money in exchange for food, drink, or anything else, it’s considered a vending machine and needs a business license.

In addition to obtaining your vending machine permit, you may also need to get it inspected by your local health department. Because there is food involved, your public health department wants to ensure that it meets certain safety requirements and that the food in the machine hasn’t expired. Contact your city’s business licenses, permits & tax board to schedule an inspection if required.

How Much is a Vending Machine Permit?

There is no set fee for a vending machine permit because this type of license is issued and controlled at the state and/or local level. For example, Wisconsin charges $125 plus $9 per vending machine, whereas the city of Los Angeles, California charges $71 plus $26 for each additional machine.

This is where our Business License Research Package comes into play. Our team will do the leg work for you to obtain the required fees and forms to legally operating your vending machine.

Applying for Your Vending Machine Permit

Before filing your application, gather all the required information together to make it easy. Start with the following:

• General business license for an LLC, C Corporation, etc.
• Federal Employer Identification Number
• Sales tax permit number
• Beverage license if your machine will sell beverages
• Foodservice license if necessary
• Plan and documentation for where you will install the vending machine

Once you have filled out the vending machine license/permit application, you will be contacted to set up an opening inspection. At this point, the machine should be in a place where you plan to keep it so that the inspector can determine if the location and items in the machine meet the city’s regulations.

Your Role as Vending Machine Owner

• It is your responsibility to schedule the stocking of the machine with a reputable vendor who will replace expiring food with fresh items.
• You’ll also need to make sure the machine is sanitary at all times.
• Make sure the machine is operable at all times, and that your contact information is on the machine, should there be a problem.
• Keep your licenses and permits up-to-date by paying your renewal fees before they are due.
• And remember, as the owner, you should also inspect your vending machine regularly.  This applies even if you have an employee or third-party contractor stocking it for you.