foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Craighead County, AR — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Food Protection Program - STATE-administered statewide (flat statewide fee) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Establishment Permit (annual)
$35.00 flat annual permit fee statewide (Ark. Code 20-57-204). Late fee equal to one-half the renewal fee if renewed 60+ days after expiration.

Uniform statewide flat fee administered by ADH; applies in Craighead County (Jonesboro). Source: https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-20/subtitle-4/chapter-57/subchapter-2/section-20-57-204/

Plan review — required

1% of total estimated construction cost, not less than $50.00 and not to exceed $500.00 (new or remodeled facilities)

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit Permit (food service establishment)
$35.00 flat annual fee (mobile units are permitted as food service establishments under the same statewide fee)

Mobile units require an approved commissary/base of operations per ADH rules.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • STATE-administered flat fee: every food service establishment in Arkansas pays the same $35 annual permit fee regardless of size or type (Ark. Code 20-57-204).
  • Plan review is a separate one-time fee (1% of cost, $50 min / $500 max) for new construction and remodels.
  • ADH inspects and permits establishments in Craighead County; there is no separate county fee.
  • Late renewal (60+ days past expiration) adds a penalty of one-half the renewal fee.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Pushcart / mobile vending$35.00/yr flat (mobile food units permitted as food service establishments under Ark. Code 20-57-204)Statewide ADH flat fee; approved commissary/base required.
Temporary / seasonal eventnull - Arkansas Dept. of Health issues temporary food event permits but the fee is not published online (the $35 flat fee applies to standard food service establishments)State-administered by ADH Food Protection Program.
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: law.justia.com · healthy.arkansas.gov · codes.findlaw.com · observed 2026-08-07