foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

DeSoto County, MS — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Division of Food Protection (state-administered) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Establishment Permit
Risk 1 $40.00 / Risk 2 $132.25 / Risk 3 $198.00 / Risk 4 $264.50 (annual)

Annual fee is set by the risk level assigned at plan review and re-evaluated yearly at inspection. MSDH permits food establishments statewide; there is no separate DeSoto County health-department permit.

Plan review — required

$224.25

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment Permit
Risk-based: $40.00-$264.50 (same annual risk schedule as fixed establishments)

Mobile units are permitted under the same MSDH risk-based fee schedule as fixed establishments.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • State-administered: MSDH Division of Food Protection permits establishments in DeSoto County (Memphis metro).
  • Annual permit fee depends on facility risk category (Risk 1-4).
  • Online-only payment via ms.gov using the Permit ID Number; county offices no longer take cash/checks.
  • Food manufacturing/processing (as opposed to retail) is generally regulated by the MS Dept. of Agriculture & Commerce, not MSDH.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Bakery / food processingnull - retail bakeries permitted under MSDH risk-based schedule ($40.00-$264.50); food manufacturing/processing is regulated by the MS Dept. of Agriculture & Commerce, not MSDHMSDH does not break out fees by establishment type; all retail food establishments use the Risk 1-4 annual schedule.
Mississippi 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: msdh.ms.gov · msdh.ms.gov · observed 2026-08-07