Local permits & fees

Bay County, FL — Commercial Kitchen Permits

State-administered: FL Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels & Restaurants (restaurants + mobile food dispensing vehicles); FL Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Food Safety (grocery/retail food stores). Temporary events at public events are permitted locally by Florida DOH-Bay County. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Public Food Service Establishment license (DBPR, Division of Hotels & Restaurants)
Nonseating $242/yr; 1-49 seats $262; 50-149 $273; 150-249 $294; 250-349 $315; 350-499 $336; 500+ $357 (annual, includes $10 Hospitality Education Program fee). Half-year rates: nonseating $126, 1-49 $136, 50-149 $141.50, 150-249 $152, 250-349 $162.50, 350-499 $173, 500+ $183.50. One-time $50 application fee for new/ownership change.

Statewide fees set by Rule 61C-1.008 F.A.C. under Fla. Stat. 509.251/509.302; identical in all 67 counties (county only affects the renewal cycle, not the amount). DBPR licenses restaurants regardless of county; there is no separate Bay County restaurant fee. Verified against DBPR food-fees page 2026-08-10.

Plan review — required

DBPR restaurant plan review: no charge. FDACS retail-food voluntary plan review: $55.10 ($25 application + $30.10 first hour).

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle (DBPR) / Mobile Vendor (FDACS)
DBPR Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle, hot dog cart or temporary kitchen: $347/yr ($178.50 half-year). FDACS Mobile Vendor (prepackaged/non-hazardous only): $300/yr.

DBPR licenses mobile units that prepare potentially hazardous food (e.g., hot dogs, burgers); FDACS permits mobile units selling only prepackaged/non-potentially-hazardous items. One free mobile permit is allowed for an owner with an active brick-and-mortar food permit.

Watch out for

  • Administering authority is the STATE, not the county: restaurants/food trucks = DBPR; grocery/retail food = FDACS. Panama City is the county seat.
  • FDACS retail food annual permits (Rule 5K-4.020 F.A.C., verified 2026-08-10): Supermarket $650, Grocery Store $540, Convenience Store $330 (w/limited food service $430, w/significant food service $475), Retail Bakery $355, Wholesale Bakery $530, Meat Market $455, Seafood Market $410, Health Food Store $300.
  • DBPR temporary food service: 1-3 day event $91; 4-30 day event $105; annual temporary vendor $456. FDACS Mobile Vendor $300, Semi-permanent Vendor $195.
  • Caterers licensed by DBPR: $263/yr.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterer$263/yr ($136.50 half year)Licensed by DBPR, Division of Hotels & Restaurants (statewide fee, Rule 61C-1.008 F.A.C.).
Bakery / food processingRetail Bakery $355/yr; Wholesale Bakery $530/yr; Processor (other perishable foods) $490/yr; Processor (other non-perishable foods) $335/yrFDACS retail food establishment permit, Rule 5K-4.020 F.A.C. (statewide), verified 2026-08-10.
Bar / limited food serviceA bar serving food is a DBPR Public Food Service Establishment: nonseating $242/yr, or by seats (1-49 $262, 50-149 $273).Alcohol-only bars are licensed by DBPR Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; a bar preparing/serving food needs the DBPR food service license priced by seating.
Grocery / market with deliSupermarket $650/yr; Grocery Store $540/yr; Convenience Store $330/yr (w/limited food service $430, w/significant food service $475); Meat Market $455; Seafood Market $410; Health Food Store $300FDACS retail food permits, Rule 5K-4.020 F.A.C. (verified 2026-08-10). A supermarket/grocery deli is captured within the grocery/supermarket permit or the 'significant food service' tier.
Temporary / seasonal eventDBPR temporary food service: 1-3 day event $91; 4-30 day event $105; annual temporary vendor $456. FDACS Semi-permanent Vendor $195/yr.DBPR permits temporary food service operators; FDACS uses a semi-permanent vendor category. Temporary events at public venues may also require a Florida DOH-Bay County event permit.
Pushcart / mobile vendingDBPR hot dog cart / mobile food dispensing vehicle $347/yr; FDACS Mobile Vendor (prepackaged only) $300/yrDBPR covers carts preparing potentially hazardous food; FDACS covers prepackaged/non-hazardous mobile vendors.
Sources: www2.myfloridalicense.com · www.fdacs.gov · www.law.cornell.edu · flrules.elaws.us · observed 2026-08-10