Local permits & fees

Adams County, CO — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Adams County Health Department - Environmental Health (retail food license fees are set by the State of Colorado / CDPHE and are uniform statewide; locally administered) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment License - Restaurant/Caterer (by seating capacity)
$481 (0-100 seats) / $538 (101-200 seats) / $581 (over 200 seats) for 2026

State-set fee schedule under SB25-285; identical across Colorado local agencies. Fees rise again in 2027 and 2028. Limited food service establishments (bars/limited prep) are $338. 2026 fees apply to licenses issued on/after Sept 1, 2025.

Plan review — required

$155 (retail food plan review, 2026)

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Retail Food Establishment License
$481 (full service) / $338 (prepackaged only) for 2026; plus $155 mobile plan review

Statewide license reciprocity took effect Jan 1, 2026 under HB25-1295 - a single local-agency license lets a mobile unit operate across most Colorado jurisdictions without re-permitting.

Watch out for

  • Retail food license fees are set by Colorado statute (SB25-285), not the county; scheduled to increase again in 2027 and 2028.
  • Statewide mobile-unit license reciprocity (HB25-1295) effective Jan 1, 2026.
  • Plan review required before construction/remodel for nearly every new or significantly altered facility.
  • Grocery/retail food store fees are by square footage (with higher rates if a deli is present).

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Bar / limited food service$338/yr (Limited Food Service Establishment, 2026)State CDPHE fee (SB25-285) for limited-prep establishments; uniform statewide.
Grocery / market with deliGrocery: $244 (<15,001 sq ft) / $441 (>15,000 sq ft); Grocery with deli: $469 (<15,001 sq ft) / $894 (>15,000 sq ft) (2026)State CDPHE fee schedule; grocery fees are by square footage, higher when a deli/prepared-foods department is present.
Pushcart / mobile vending$481 (full service) / $338 (prepackaged only) per year (2026); plus $155 mobile plan reviewStatewide reciprocity under HB25-1295 (effective Jan 1, 2026) lets one license operate across most Colorado jurisdictions.
Sources: adamscountyhealthdepartment.org · la-h-health.colorado.gov · cdphe.colorado.gov · observed 2026-08-07