What licenses and permissions are required to open up a chocolate factory?

Answer 1

Depends on where you do it. In the USA, businesses are regulated largely on the state, county and city level, so you should research the particular laws that apply to your intended location. There could be local zoning and land use regulations, in particular, so I'd start with your city's municipal code and work outward.

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It also depends on what you mean by a chocolate factory.

If you are starting a small business that makes molded or dipped chocolates -- what most people would call a candy shop -- the government would consider it a restaurant and govern it accordingly.

A large business that takes in cocoa beans and converts them to finished chocolate would be treated like a food production plant. WAY more paperwork and licensing, and you'll be dealing with environmental law.