Permits & Licenses Required by Food Stores In Iowa

• Corporation Registration | Iowa Secretary of State | 515-281-5204 | www.sos.state.ia.us
• Food Establishment License | Iowa Department of Inspection & Appeals | 515-281-7102
  • Required for selling food (Groceries)
• Food Service License | Iowa Department of Inspection & Appeals    515-281-7102
  • Required if any food is prepared/Deli & Bakery 
• Food & Consumer Safety Bureau | food@dia.iowa.gov | 515-281-6538
• Retail Sales Tax Permit | Iowa Department of Revenue & Finance | Customer service: 281-3114/800-367-3388
• Lottery License | Iowa Lottery (Doug Orr-Director of Retail Services) | 515-725-7861
• WIC Permit | Kenny Kane (Iowa WIC Vendor Coordinator) | 515-281-6205 | kenny.kane@idph.iowa.gov
• Cigarette Permit | Apply to Local (normally municipal) Authorities    
• Household Hazardous Material Retailer Permit | Iowa Department of Revenue | 515-281-3114
• Beer Permit | Alcohol Beverages Division (Karen Freund) | 515-281-7414
• Class B Native Wine Permit | Alcohol Beverages Division (Karen Freund) | Go to Web site www.iowaabd.com to apply | 515-281-7432
  • Can only sell wine fermented in Iowa. Fee is $25.00.
• Class B Wine Permit | Alcohol Beverages Division (Karen Freund) | 515-281-7432
  • Can sell wine fermented out of state. Fee is $500.
• Class E Liquor License | Alcohol Beverages Division (Karen Freund) (submit to local authorities) | 515-281-7432
  •  Permits are paid yearly to the State

Note:  Liquor Bonds are purchased through Insurance Companies. You need to send proof of Bond copy to the State Liquor Permit Office. These Bonds are paid yearly (whatever your insurance requires as payments) through your insurance company.  

• Weights & Measures Bureau | Randy Watts | Department of Agriculture | 515-725-1493
• USDA FNS Retail/Participant | SNAP Retailer Service Center Hotline | Food Stamps | 877-823-4369    
• EBT Director | Tracy Penick | 515-281-4935
• State Nursery License (for selling plants, shrubs, nursery items, even soil!) | Iowa Department of Agriculture    
• PACA License | Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (Produce purchased over $90,000/year)    
• Pharmacy License | www.pharmacy.iowa.gov | Licensure/Registration | Applications/Forms

State of Iowa

• Board of Pharmacy Examiners | Office Hours- 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM | 400 S.W. Eighth St., Suite E, Des Moines, IA  50309-4688.    
  PHONE: (515) 281-5944 | FAX: (515) 281-4609
• Iowa Department of Revenue Sales Tax Department | Contact Greg Lee, greg.lee@iowa.gov, for any sales tax questions.
  • www.tax.iowa.gov | 515-281-6885
• Iowa Taxpayer Services | (515) 281-3114