New restaurant temporary application

Step 1.Before you apply

Read the ordinance for this license under "Municipal Code" on the right side of the page to make sure this license is right for you.

Step 2.Watch the online training videos 

Online training videos provide helpful and detailed overviews of the application process. They are on the Online Training Videos webpage. They show how to register for an account. How to complete licensed establishment and entity registration records. And how to apply for new business licenses or amendments.

Step 3.Register for a new account 

Register for an account, if you haven't already, in Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center. For help, navigate to the online training videos and watch the guide for how to register for a new account.

Step 4.Gather all required documents

Make sure you have everything from the "Required documents" section below.

Important notes to keep in mind about your documents:

• All materials must be digital files saved as a .pdf or .jpg. Do not include any other file types. The Department of Excise and Licenses cannot accept other file types.
• Use numbers or letters but not characters such as symbols (/ ? < > \ : * | “ ^) or spaces that could cause complications.
  • For example:
    • Good file name: drivers-license-name-2022.pdf
    • Bad file name: last name/ id.pdf
• In some cases, you might need to combine documents and upload them in a single .pdf. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into a single file.
• Legal documents must be signed, dated and executed. All pages of large legal documents (such as a lease) must be included in the application.
• All materials must be legible.
• Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Step 5.Apply in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center

In Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center:

• Under Business/Occupational, Short-Term and Residential Rental Licensing, click "Apply New."
• Select the type of license you want to get and click "Continue Application."
  • Application package contains the following licenses: Child care center, residential rental property, retail tobacco store, massage business, marijuana licenses, retail food, retail food-commissary based, wholesale food and wholesale food-commissary based.
• Read the introduction page and click "Continue."

This will begin the application process.

You can save and resume within 30 days any time during the process. After 30 days, you must start again.

Go to the Online Training Videos webpage to guide you.

After the online application is complete, you will be prompted to submit fees in the online portal. These can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.

Step 6.City application review and next steps

Excise and Licenses tries to conduct an initial review of a complete application within seven business days. The review process might take longer if it is incomplete or requires police review (if applicable).

• All application-related communications will be sent through email, from EXLNotifications@denvergov.org. Do not respond to these emails as this inbox is not monitored.
• If the application is incomplete, the applicant will receive a "notice of deficiency" email. This allows 14 days for corrections. License endorsement requests and incidents on a background check need police review.
• All applications will be closed if they are not completed within 12 months.

Step 7.Pay required fees

An invoice will be emailed to you after the application has been approved. You may log in to your account online and pay the fees due.

License fee:
$100 plus $10 per day for the first five days of each event

Pursuant to city ordinance, if a restaurant is going to participate in a fund raising event for a nonprofit and all of the proceeds are being donated to the nonprofit, the fee for the license will be waived.  The applicant must submit a document with the Affidavit of Commissary that verifies the name of the nonprofit organization and verifies that all proceeds are being donated to the nonprofit.

Step 8.License issuance