Transfer of ownership for a retail food license

Step 1.Zoning use permit

This license requires a zoning use permit.

A zoning use permit grants the applicant/owner of a lot, building, or structure permission for the requested use of the land. "Use" can be any activity, occupation, business, or operation in a building or on a lot/tract of land.

If you currently do not have a zone use permit, you may apply instead with a Acknowledgement of Zone Use Permit(PDF, 84KB). This will allow you to begin your application while you secure a proper zone use permit. Your license will not issue until a proper zone use permit has submitted. Applications that fail to provide a zone use permit will not issue or be eligible for a refund.

1. Before contacting Zoning, email CPD Records to ask if there's an existing zoning use permit for your address. Allow up to 10 business days for them to respond.
2. If they respond there isn't a zoning use permit for your address, then contact Zoning to apply for a permit. They will tell you if you're zoned for the use. Allow up to 10 business days for them to respond.

Email

cpd.permitrecords@denvergov.org

zoning.review@denvergov.org

Step 2.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 Licensing and Consumer Protection 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 3.Navigate to Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center

In Denver’s Online Permitting and Licensing Center, the seller must:

• Log into their account.
• Click the Business Licenses tab.
• Find your Licensed Establishment record (example, 2023-LE-1234567). In the column on the right, click on Amendment.
• Select "Initiate Transfer of Ownership" and click "Continue Application."
• Read the introduction page and click "Continue."
• Select the licenses you will transfer, click Edit Selected, and for Transfer select "Yes". Click "Continue Application."
• Provide the email address for the buyer. This should be the email address the buyer used to create their account in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center. The system will confirm this information, and the buyer's first and last name will appear. If the buyer does not have an account or the seller provides an incorrect email address, you will not be able to proceed.
• Click "Continue Application."

In Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center, the buyer must:

• Log in to Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center.
• Click the Business Licenses tab.
• To continue the transfer of ownership of the license(s), in the "License Type" column find the row that has the transfer ownership, record name and address that will be transferred. In the right column, click on "Resume Application."
• Read the introduction page and click "Continue."
• This will begin and guide the buyer through the application process.

Any time during the process, you can save and resume your application within 30 days. After 30 days, you will need to start again.

Step 4.Pay required fees

Application fee:
$100

Step 5.City application review and next steps

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection 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 DLCPNotifications@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 6.License issuance

Once approved, the applicant is emailed a copy of the business license. This allows the license holder to start operating.

The licensee should read "Once you have your license" below and follow the requirements.