Local permits & fees

Arapahoe County, CO — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Arapahoe County Public Health, Environmental Health (formerly served by Tri-County Health Dept., dissolved end of 2022) · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Retail Food Establishment License (annual)

Restaurant 0-100 seats $481; 101-200 seats $538; >200 seats $581; Limited food service $338 (fee increase effective Aug 6, 2025)

K-12 schools $0. Grocery w/deli $469 (<=15k sqft) to $894 (>15k). $50 late fee.

Plan Review Application $155; plus $60/hour per inspector (max $900); Site Review (initial inspection) $120

Turnaround: null - not published; CO law requires plans approved before construction/remodel/takeover begins

Mobile Unit License

Mobile Unit (Prepackaged/Limited) $338; Mobile Unit (Full Food Service) $481

Separate Qualtrics plan review form for food trucks/trailers; commissary agreement required.

Complete plans must be submitted, reviewed, and approved by the local health dept before any construction, remodel, or takeover of an existing facility.
Change-of-ownership offers a shorter approval process than a full new plan review.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
caterer	$481 / $538 / $581	Caterers licensed with Restaurants by seating capacity (0-100 / 101-200 / over 200 seats) under Colorado statewide retail food fee schedule (SB25-285, effective 9/1/2025)
market/grocery with deli	$469 (<=15,000 sqft) / $894 (>15,000 sqft)	Grocery Store with Deli; grocery without deli $244 / $441
pushcart/limited operation	$338-$481	Mobile/pushcart: Prepackaged $338, Full Service $481; Limited Food Service Establishment $338
temporary/seasonal/special-event	—	Special Events and Temporary Food Vendor licenses exist (per-event/per-day); flat amount not published in county summary
food processing/wholesale	—	Not a Colorado retail-food category; wholesale/manufacturing licensed by CO Dept of Public Health & Environment / Dept of Agriculture