Local permits & fees

Baltimore City, MD — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Baltimore City Health Department - Environmental Health / Food Control & Plan Review · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Facility License
Fee not published online — contact the department.

Baltimore City does NOT publish its food-facility license fee online; the pay portal (pay.baltimorecity.gov/foodlicensing) states fees are 'based on facility type/priority' assessed by a plan reviewer. The commonly-cited High $540 / Medium $340 / Low $135 figures are BALTIMORE COUNTY's schedule (a separate jurisdiction), not Baltimore City - so left null. Contact BCHD Environmental Health (410-396-4424).

Plan review — required

$150 initial inspection (includes 1 re-inspection); $50 each additional re-inspection; $75 blueprint/plan review when plans must be submitted

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile/Street Vendor Food License
Fee not published online — contact the department.

Carts, trucks and street vendors must obtain a food license from the Baltimore City Health Department AND a business/mobile vending license from the State of Maryland. City mobile food-license fee not published online (contact BCHD); temporary event food facility application is $50.

Watch out for

  • Mobile vendors need dual licensing: Baltimore City Health Dept food license + Maryland State mobile vending license.
  • Plan review with blueprint submission ($75) is required before a new facility can be licensed.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
catererCaterers are among facility types licensed/inspected by Baltimore City Environmental Health under the standard Food License; specific fee not published online.
bakeryBakeries listed among licensed food facilities; covered under the standard Food License.
bar/tavernBars/taverns listed among licensed/inspected facilities under the standard Food License.
market/grocery with deliGrocery stores and market stalls listed among licensed food facilities.
temporary/seasonal/special-event$50 application fee"Temporary Food Service Facility" license required for public events of 14 days or less; $50.00 application fee.
Sources: www.baltimorecity.gov · pay.baltimorecity.gov · www.baltimorecity.gov · www.baltimorecity.gov · observed 2026-08-10