Local permits & fees

Buchanan County, MO — Commercial Kitchen Permits

St. Joseph Health Department (city of St. Joseph, MO) - administers food & beverage permits within the city; Buchanan County is served by the St. Joseph Health Department · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

City Food and Beverage Permit (restaurant)
$300.00 (high risk); $200.00 (medium risk); $100.00 (low risk) - annual

Risk-based annual permit for food service establishments within the corporate limits of St. Joseph. Renewed by July 1 annually; prorated quarterly for mid-year openings. Source: St. Joseph Code of Ordinances Ch. 17, Art. IV, Sec. 17-108.

Plan review — required

$100.00 (plan review / pre-opening inspection)

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit Permit
$100.00 (self-contained food unit); $50.00 (push cart); $25.00 (ice cream vendor) - annual

Mobile food units are tiered by type in the St. Joseph fee ordinance.

Watch out for

  • Catering: $300.00; Prep kitchen: $300.00 (annual)
  • Temporary festival: $25 (1-3 days) / $35 (4-14 days); non-festival: $15 / $20; triple fee if <7 working days notice
  • Seasonal establishment (<6 months): $50.00; Re-inspection $75.00; Change of ownership $50.00
  • Permits renewed by July 1; Health Dept 816-271-4636

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterer$300.00 (annual)St. Joseph food & beverage ordinance, Sec. 17-108.
Commissary / central preparation kitchen$300.00 (annual, listed as 'Prep kitchen')Prep kitchen category in the St. Joseph fee ordinance.
Bakery / food processing$100.00 (annual)Bakery category.
Bar / limited food service$100.00 (annual)Bar category.
Grocery / market with deli$100.00 (Retail food store); Deli $100.00; Self-service salad bar $100.00 (annual)Retail food store and deli categories.
Temporary / seasonal eventFestival: $25 (1-3 days) / $35 (4-14 days); Non-festival: $15 (1-3 days) / $20 (4-14 days); Seasonal establishment (<6 months) $50.00Triple fee applies unless health department notified 7+ working days in advance.
Pushcart / mobile vending$50.00 (push cart); $25.00 (ice cream vendor); $100.00 (self-contained food unit); hazardous food vending machines $10.00 per machineMobile food unit tiers by type.
Sources: library.municode.com · www.stjosephmo.gov · www.stjosephmo.gov · observed 2026-08-07