Local permits & fees

Arlington County, VA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Arlington County Public Health Division, Environmental Health Bureau (operated in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Health) · department site →

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

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Establishment Permit / License

$40 (annual) - source https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Health/Food-Establishment-Licenses

AUTHORITY: Arlington runs its own local public health division; food establishment permits use Virginia's flat statewide $40 fee. Checks payable to 'Treasurer, Arlington County.' Effective July 1, 2026: $50 late-renewal fee and $100 re-inspection fee (for establishments that fail their pre-opening inspection).

Plan review — required

$40 plan review (e.g., change of ownership, or DCA/Reagan National Airport establishments paid directly to the Environmental Health Program); standard new/remodel plan review is filed via the Permit Arlington customer portal - source https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/foodapplication/

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit Permit

$40 (Virginia flat food establishment permit) - source https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Health/Food-Establishment-Licenses

Virginia does not fee-differentiate by establishment type; mobile units pay the flat $40 permit and require an approved commissary/servicing area.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

Virginia uses a FLAT statewide food establishment permit fee of $40 (plus $40 plan review); Arlington operates its own local public health division under a cooperative agreement with VDH.
Checks payable to Treasurer, Arlington County.
Temporary Food Establishment license $40.
Effective July 1, 2026: $50 late-renewal fee; $100 re-inspection fee for failed pre-opening inspection.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Temporary / seasonal event	$40 (Temporary Food Establishment license) - source https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Health/Temporary-Food-Establishment-Licenses	Fee applies as noted on the application. Checks payable to Treasurer, Arlington County.
Pushcart / mobile vending	$40 (Virginia flat food establishment permit; mobile food unit) - source https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Health/Food-Establishment-Licenses	Virginia does not fee-differentiate by establishment type; mobile units require an approved commissary.

Virginia statewide rules

Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.

What equipment you need

Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.

Permits & plan review, explained

The stack of approvals before you open.

Sources: www.arlingtonva.us · www.arlingtonva.us · www.arlingtonva.us · www.vdh.virginia.gov · observed 2026-08-07