Locally administered by Durham County Environmental Health under the NC Food Code. NC's model is plan-review-fee-based rather than an annual permit fee; inspections and A/B/C grade cards follow.
Turnaround: Allow up to ~4 weeks (per NC state EHS plan-review guidance)
Durham County EH reviews and permits the unit; a City of Durham business/vending authorization and commissary agreement are also required.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | null - no annual permit fee (NC); the one-time Mobile Food Unit/Push Cart/Caterer plan review is $250. | Caterers are grouped with mobile units/push carts on Durham's plan-review schedule. |
| Commissary / central preparation kitchen | null - not separately priced; a commissary must itself be a permitted food establishment (no annual permit fee in NC) and plan review applies ($250 new). | No distinct commissary line on the Durham fee schedule. |
| Bakery / food processing | null - retail bakeries and food processing/retail food sales are regulated by the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), not county Environmental Health. | Authority is NCDA&CS; a bakery with on-site food service/seating is permitted by Durham County EH (plan review $250, no annual fee). |
| Bar / limited food service | $75 - Limited Food Service Establishment permit (NC state-set fee) | The Limited Food Service Establishment permit is NC's one flat permit fee; a full bar serving meals is a food service establishment (plan review $250, no annual fee). |
| Grocery / market with deli | null - grocery/market retail food is regulated by NCDA&CS, not county EH; an in-store deli with seating is permitted by Durham County EH (plan review $250, no annual permit fee). | Split authority: retail food = NCDA&CS; deli food service = county EH. |
| Temporary / seasonal event | $75 - Temporary Food Event Permit | Per Durham County Environmental Health fee schedule; qualifying nonprofits may be exempt. |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | null - no annual permit fee (NC); one-time Mobile Food Unit/Push Cart/Caterer plan review is $250. Commissary required. | Mobile units must return daily to an approved commissary. |