Local permits & fees

DeKalb County, GA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

DeKalb Public Health (DeKalb County Board of Health) - Division of Environmental Health, Food Safety Program · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Permit (annual)
Annual permit is risk/points-based per DeKalb EH fee schedule: No Cook (Cat 1) approx $250-$700; Cook-Serve (Cat 2) approx $500-$800; Complex (Cat 3) varies by points/sq ft (effective Jan 1, 2024). Exact amount depends on menu complexity and inspection score.

Georgia food service rules (Ch. 511-6-1) administered locally. Apply/submit to Richardson Health Center, 445 Winn Way, Suite 320, Decatur, GA 30030; [email protected]; (404) 508-7900. All fees must be paid before plan review begins and before a permit is issued/renewed.

Plan review — required

Plan review fee by category (effective Jan 1, 2024): No Cook (Cat 1) $300; Cook-Serve (Cat 2) $350; Complex (Cat 3) $500; Minor changes to an original plan review $200

Turnaround: null - specific turnaround not published; must notify DeKalb Public Health at least 30 days prior to beginning construction of a new facility

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Service Unit Permit
null - mobile-unit annual permit/plan-review amount not itemized in captured sources; billed per the DeKalb EH fee schedule (mobile units follow the category-based plan review + annual permit structure). Confirm with DeKalb EH. Temporary food service events: $150 for first 4 days, then $20/day up to 14 consecutive days.

Georgia mobile food service units must operate from a permitted base of operation/commissary in a home-base county. Complete the food service permit + plan review process before operating.

Watch out for

  • DeKalb Public Health (dekalbpublichealth.com) is the current site; older content lives on dekalbhealth.net and health.dekalbcounty.org - all the DeKalb County Board of Health.
  • Submit application + proposed menu + scaled plans by email ([email protected]) or in person; fees are set by official action of the health authority and DeKalb County governing authority.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterer$121 food establishment application + $205 plan review (new/change of ownership)Caterer is an accepted food service establishment classification permitted by DeKalb Public Health Environmental Health; standard food establishment application/plan review fees apply.
Commissary/central kitchenStandard commissary letter required at plan review; commissary operates as a permitted food service establishment. County-specific commissary fee not separately published.
Temporary/special-event$150 for first 4 days, then $20/day up to 14 consecutive daysTemporary food service establishment permit; application due at least 30 days before the event.
Sources: dekalbpublichealth.com · dekalbpublichealth.com · dekalbpublichealth.com · library.municode.com · observed 2026-08-07