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Permits for a Restaurant in Bismarck, North Dakota

A restaurant in Bismarck, North Dakota needs 13 permits including off-sale liquor license (nd), retail alcoholic beverage license (nd), business entity registration (nd), and more. Each has specific costs, deadlines, and renewal requirements.

We found 13 permits you’ll likely need. Costs, deadlines, and direct .gov links included.

13 permits found

For a Restaurant in Bismarck, ND

Alcohol / Liquor (2)Business License (2)Employment (3)Fire Safety (1)Health & Safety (1)Signage (1)Tax (2)Zoning (1)

Alcohol / Liquor

Off-Sale Liquor License (ND)
North Dakota Office of the Attorney General — Licensing & Gaming·ND (state-level)
Alcohol / Liquor

Authorizes the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption (package stores, liquor stores). Issued through the city governing body and subject to population-based quotas.

$3 - $10 (Annual fee tiered by city population.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~60 days
Operating without a license is a class A misdemeanor. ($5 - $30)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Retail Alcoholic Beverage License (ND)
North Dakota Office of the Attorney General — Licensing & Gaming·ND (state-level)
Alcohol / Liquor

Required for on-premises sale of alcoholic beverages in North Dakota. Issued through the Office of the Attorney General — Gaming Division. License fees are tiered based on city population. Cities and counties set specific fees within statutory limits.

$3 - $10 (Annual fee tiered by city population. Range $335–$1,000.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~60 days
Selling alcohol without a license is a class A misdemeanor. Fines up to $3,000 and/or up to 360 days imprisonment. ($5 - $30)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Business License

Business Entity Registration (ND)
North Dakota Secretary of State·ND (state-level)
Business License

All business entities (LLCs, corporations, partnerships) must register with the North Dakota Secretary of State. Annual report required to maintain good standing. Filing available through the online First Stop portal.

$1 - $1 (LLC filing $135. Annual report $50.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~5 days
Failure to file annual report may result in involuntary dissolution. ($0 - $5)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
North Dakota Business Registration (Secretary of State)
North Dakota Secretary of State·ND (state-level)
Business License

All businesses operating as LLCs, corporations, or partnerships must register with the North Dakota Secretary of State. Annual report filing required.

$1 - $1 (LLC filing $135. Corporation $100. Annual report $50.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to file annual report may result in involuntary dissolution. ($0 - $2)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Employment

North Dakota Employer Tax Registration
Job Service North Dakota·ND (state-level)
Employment

Employers must register with Job Service North Dakota for unemployment insurance tax and workforce programs.

$0 - $0 (Registration is free.)
Renewal: Varies
Processing: ~14 days
Failure to register may result in penalties and interest. ($1 - $50)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Unemployment Insurance Registration (ND)
Job Service North Dakota·ND (state-level)
Employment

Employers paying wages in North Dakota must register with Job Service North Dakota for unemployment insurance. Registration completed online.

$0 - $0 (Registration is free. Tax rate varies by employer experience rating.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Failure to register or pay UI tax may result in penalties and interest. ($1 - $50)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Workers' Compensation Insurance (ND)
North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI)·ND (state-level)
Employment

North Dakota has an exclusive state fund for workers' compensation through Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI). All employers must purchase coverage through WSI — no private insurance option.

$3 - $50 (Premium varies by industry and payroll. State fund only.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~7 days
Operating without WSI coverage: penalties up to $1,000/day. Employer liable for all injury costs. ($5 - $500)
Apply Renew Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Inspection / Permit (ND)
North Dakota State Fire Marshal / Local Fire Department·ND (state-level)
Fire Safety

Commercial establishments must pass fire safety inspection by the State Fire Marshal or local fire department.

$1 - $3 (Varies by municipality.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~21 days
Fire code violations may result in closure and fines. ($1 - $10)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Health & Safety

Food Establishment License (ND)
North Dakota DHHS — Division of Food and Lodging·ND (state-level)
Health & Safety

Required for all food service establishments in North Dakota. Issued by the North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services — Division of Food and Lodging.

$1 - $4 (Varies by establishment size and risk category.)
Renewal: Annually
Processing: ~21 days
Operating without a license may result in closure and fines. ($1 - $5)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Signage

Sign Permit (ND)
Local Municipality Planning/Building Department·ND (state-level)
Signage

Required by most North Dakota municipalities before installing exterior business signage.

$0 - $3 (Varies by municipality.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Unpermitted signs may be subject to removal orders. ($1 - $5)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Tax

North Dakota Sales Tax Permit
North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner·ND (state-level)
Tax

Required for all businesses making taxable sales in North Dakota. State sales tax rate is 5%. Some cities levy additional local option taxes. Free to obtain through the Office of State Tax Commissioner.

$0 - $0 (Free to obtain.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to collect or remit sales tax: penalties of 5% per month (max 25%) plus interest. ($0 - $50)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026
Sales Tax Permit (ND)
North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner·ND (state-level)
Tax

Businesses making taxable sales in North Dakota must register for a sales tax permit with the Office of State Tax Commissioner. State sales tax rate is 5% plus local rates.

$0 - $0 (Free to register. State sales tax 5% plus local rates.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~7 days
Failure to collect or remit sales tax: penalties and interest. ($0 - $50)
Apply Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Zoning

Zoning Compliance Permit (ND)
Local Planning/Zoning Department·ND (state-level)
Zoning

Verifies that the proposed business use is permitted in the applicable zoning district.

$0 - $3 (Varies by municipality.)
Renewal: One-time
Processing: ~14 days
Operating in a non-compliant zone can result in cease-and-desist orders. ($1 - $10)
Source Last verified: Mar 15, 2026

Don't forget these deadlines

Save this checklist to your dashboard. We'll email you before each permit expires so you never get hit with a late penalty.

From $12/month

Total penalty exposure

$20 – $797

if you skip or miss these permits

Based on published penalty schedules. Your actual fines may differ depending on your city or county.

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Riverside Bar & Grill

Austin, TX

94%
Liquor LicenseActive
Business LicenseActive
Health PermitActive
Fire Safety InspectionExpiring Soon
Sign PermitApplied
Verified by PermitDue — as of March 15, 2026
permitdue.com/packet/a3f8...

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Landlords
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