Local permits & fees

Delaware County, PA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Delaware County Health Department (DCHD), Environmental Health Services (county health department established 2022) · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Facility License

$266 (under 50 seats) / $380 (50 or more seats) / $570 (more than 10,000 sq ft) / $380 (in conjunction with a PA liquor license) / $261 (take-out only) - source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf

AUTHORITY: Delaware County stood up its own county health department in 2022; it now licenses/inspects under the PA Retail Food Facility Safety Act (previously PDA). Annual license by seating/size. Second follow-up inspection $237; third+ $332; duplicate license $28. All persons in charge must hold a Certified Food Manager certificate ($57).

Plan review — required

$237 (Food Facility Plan Review) / $380 (facility more than 10,000 sq ft) / $47 (change of ownership/turn-key operation, or farmers' market vendor review) - source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf

Turnaround: allow 4-6 weeks for processing; material must be submitted at least 60 days prior to operation

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Facility

$261 (Mobile Food Facility) / $190 (Mobile Retail Outlet) - source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf

All new food facilities (including mobile) must have a plan review approved before applying for a license.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

One of Pennsylvania's county health departments (established 2022); administers its own food-facility licensing/inspection instead of the PA Dept of Agriculture.
License fees by seats/size: $266 (<50 seats) / $380 (50+) / $570 (>10,000 sq ft). Liquor-license facility $380; take-out only $261; retail outlet $190; commissary/caterer $266.
Temporary food facility: 1-3 day $57 / 4-7 day $90 / 8-14 day $142 (tax-exempt 1-14 day $33); late fee $22.
Plan review $237 (or $380 if >10,000 sq ft); allow 4-6 weeks, submit 60 days prior.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Caterer	$266 (Commissary/Caterer) - source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf	Caterers and commissaries share one license line.
Commissary / central preparation kitchen	$266 (Commissary/Caterer) - source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf	Caterers and commissaries share one license line.
Bar / limited food service	$380 (Food Facility in Conjunction with a PA Liquor License); $142 (Beverage Manufactured on Premises with Tasting Room, No Food Prep) - source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf	Bars with food fall under the liquor-license food facility line; tasting rooms with no food prep are a lower separate line.
Grocery / market with deli	$190 (Retail Outlet); $570 if more than 10,000 sq ft (Food Facility more than 10,000 sq ft) - source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf	Retail groceries/markets license as a Retail Outlet; large stores are charged by square footage.
Temporary / seasonal event	1-3 day $57 / 4-7 day $90 / 8-14 day $142; tax-exempt 1-14 day $33 - source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf	Late fee $22 (less than 5 days prior); applications not accepted within 24 hours of the event.
Pushcart / mobile vending	$261 (Mobile Food Facility) / $190 (Mobile Retail Outlet) - source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf	Plan review approval required before licensing.

Pennsylvania 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: delcopa.gov · www.delcopa.gov · www.delcopa.gov · delcopa.gov · observed 2026-08-07