Local permits & fees

Bucks County, PA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Bucks County Department of Health, Retail Food Facility Program (a county-level health department, uncommon in PA where most retail food is state-licensed by PA Dept. of Agriculture) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Facility license (annual, by seating/size)
Food facilities with less than 50 seats $365; 50 or more seats $545; take-out facilities (no seating) $345; any for-profit facility over 10,000 sq ft $1,200; facility licensed in conjunction with a PA Liquor License $545

From 2026 application SA-13 fee schedule (Rev. 11/25). License not transferable; all fees non-refundable. Act 62 requires a PA Sales & Use Tax license/exemption on file.

Plan review — required

null - plan review is required for new/remodeled facilities (Bucks County Plan Review Application SA-85/SA-86) but the plan review fee is not listed on the SA-13 license fee schedule; confirm via the SA-85/SA-86 application or the Health Dept. (215-345-3318)

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit (per vehicle or stand)
$345 per vehicle/stand

Requires SA-15 Commissary Verification Form identifying a licensed servicing/commissary facility.

Watch out for

  • Caterer/Commissaries licensed together at $545.
  • Microbreweries, wineries, and distilleries (on-premises manufacture, no food prep) $345.
  • Non-profit charitable orgs (not with a liquor license) and public/religious school cafeterias $115.
  • Seasonal license (operate up to 180 consecutive days) $260.
  • Farm/Flea Market Stand (seasonal) $175; Year-Round Farmers Market (limited hours) $235; Satellite same-product/same-day $50.
  • Bucks County is one of only a handful of PA counties with its own health department that licenses retail food directly.
Sources: www.buckscounty.gov · www.buckscounty.gov · www.buckscounty.gov · observed 2026-08-07