For all municipal business license questions, contact: Department of Community Investment
227 West Jefferson Blvd • Suite 1400 S •South Bend, Indiana 46601 • 574.235.5912 • F: 574.235.9021
LICENSE APPLICATION FOR – RESTAURANT
MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION – 4-45 (SEE ALSO 4-46)
DEFINITION:
Restaurants include any coffee shop, cafeteria, short order cafe, luncheonette, grill, sandwich
stand, soda fountain, drive-in restaurant, walk-up restaurant, mobile food vendor, mobile food
cart, drive-in theater restaurant, in-plant food service, tavern, commissary, snack bar, tea room,
fast-food restaurant, or restaurant without live entertainment or music, food catering or food
service establishment, hotel or motel where continental breakfast is served, retail food markets,
whether fixed or movable, where food for human consumption is prepared or served in such
manner that it is ready for consumption on the premises.
The term "restaurant" shall not include a food service establishment that is known as a retail
food market where food is not prepared and served for consumption on the premises with the
exception of retail food markets that contain soda fountains, coffee dispensers or slushy
machines; nor shall the term "restaurant" include any coin-operated vending machine
dispensing any kind or type of food, confectionery or beverage.
Mobile Food Vendor Vehicle means a licensed motorized vehicle that is enclosed, self-contained
and serves food items to the general public. Food items may be prepared, cooked, and
assembled in the vehicle or may have been prepared, wrapped or packaged in a licensed food
establishment.
IF DESCRIPTION DOES NOT APPLY, SEE:
Food Vending Vehicle (§4-25)
Itinerant Restaurant (§§4-45 & 4-46)
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Print legibly and complete all sections to ensure efficient processing.
2. Assemble all required information and materials before filing application.
3. Thoroughly review all applicable Municipal Code Sections listed above.
4. Licenses expire March 1st for restaurant names beginning with letters A-M; Licenses expire
April 1st for restaurant names beginning with letters N-Z.
5. Add 10% to license fee for renewal after expiration.
6. Include $5.00 application processing fee payable to City of South Bend.
7. License fee payable to City of South Bend due at issuance - $90.00 if 150 seats or less; $110
if more than 150 seats; $30.00 adder to above fees for live entertainment; $525.00 for
Mobile Food Vendor Vehicles.
8. See §4-46 if live music/entertainment provided.
9. See §4-45(c) for fee waivers.