foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Benton County, AR — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Food Protection Program (food establishments in Arkansas are permitted and inspected by the STATE ADH through its local/county health units; Benton County has no independent county food-permit authority) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment Permit
$35.00 annual permit fee (flat statewide) - applies to Restaurant, Food Store, Kiosk, Retail Deli/Bakery, Food Mobile, Daycare, Private School, Private Contractor (Schools) and Summer Feeding/Afterschool; Public School or Charter School $0 - source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Food-Permit-Application-2025.pdf

Flat $35/year regardless of size or type per A.C.A. 20-57-204. Late fee = one-half the renewal fee if paid 60+ days after expiration. Establishments are billed annually once open.

Plan review — required

1% of the total estimated construction cost, not less than $50 and not to exceed $500 - source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/public-health-safety/food-protection-inspection-portal/food-protection-faq/

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Food Mobile / Mobile Unit / Push Cart Permit
$35.00 annual permit fee (same flat statewide fee; 'Food Mobile' category) - source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Food-Permit-Application-2025.pdf

Mobile units/push carts require a commissary/base of operations; ADH is the statewide permitting authority.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • Arkansas food establishments are permitted and inspected by the STATE (ADH) through its local health units; Benton County (Bentonville/Rogers) has no separate county food permit or fee.
  • A single FLAT $35 annual permit fee applies to virtually every retail food category (restaurant, food store, deli/bakery, mobile, kiosk, daycare); public/charter schools are $0.
  • Plan review for new or remodeled facilities is 1% of estimated construction cost ($50 minimum, $500 maximum).
  • ADH runs a statewide Food Protection Inspection Portal for applications and inspection records.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterer$35.00 annual permit fee (permitted as a retail food establishment) - source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Food-Permit-Application-2025.pdfArkansas applies the same flat $35 statewide retail food permit fee to catering operations.
Bakery / food processing$35.00 annual permit fee (Retail Deli/Bakery category) - source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Food-Permit-Application-2025.pdfRetail deli/bakery operations pay the same flat $35 statewide permit fee.
Grocery / market with deli$35.00 annual permit fee (Food Store category) - source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Food-Permit-Application-2025.pdfGrocery/markets are permitted as food stores at the flat $35 statewide fee; a deli does not change the fee.
Pushcart / mobile vending$35.00 annual permit fee (Food Mobile category) - source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Food-Permit-Application-2025.pdfMobile units/push carts require a commissary/base of operations; ADH is the statewide permitting authority.
Arkansas 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: healthy.arkansas.gov · healthy.arkansas.gov · healthy.arkansas.gov · law.justia.com · observed 2026-08-07