foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Escambia County, FL — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (Pensacola) - Environmental Public Health / Food Hygiene. NOTE: Restaurants are licensed statewide by DBPR, Division of Hotels & Restaurants; DOH-Escambia inspects DOH-regulated food establishments per s.381.0101 F.S. and Rule 64E-11, F.A.C. (2013 FDA Food Code). · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Public Food Service Establishment License (DBPR, Division of Hotels & Restaurants) - state-issued, identical statewide
$50 application + annual license by seating: 1-49 seats $262; 50-149 $273; 150-249 $294; 250-349 $315; 350-499 $336; 500+ $357; nonseating $242. Half-year rates if filed <=6 mo before renewal. Includes $10 Hospitality Education fee.

Restaurants are NOT county-permitted in FL - DBPR licenses statewide. DOH-Escambia inspects its regulated establishments 1-4 times per permit cycle depending on type. Downtown Service Center: 1300 W Gregory St., Pensacola, FL 32502; (850) 595-6700.

Plan review — required

DBPR restaurant plan review (form HR-7005) - no separate DBPR plan-review fee; license application + fee paid before opening. DOH-regulated establishments use DOH plan review.

Turnaround: null - not published; required when newly built, remodeled, converted, or reopened after >=18 months closed

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle (MFDV) License (DBPR) - state-issued, identical statewide
$50 application + $347/year annual license ($178.50 half-year)

Statewide DBPR license (HR-7031 license+plan review; HR-7006 plan review). Plan review required for new/converted/remodeled units. Local business tax and fire/zoning approvals may also apply.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • FL restaurants and food trucks are state-licensed by DBPR, identical statewide; DOH-Escambia regulates institutional food establishments under Rule 64E-11.
  • DOH-Escambia publishes a Food Establishment Guide detailing which establishment types it (vs. DBPR) permits.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterer$263/yr (full year); $136.50 half yearDBPR statewide fee. A caterer license is for a food service that only provides catering; any licensed public food service establishment may also cater without a separate license.
Theme park cart$262/yr (1-5 carts) to $357/yr (26+ carts)DBPR specialty license for carts operating within a theme park/entertainment complex per s.509.013 F.S.
Vending machine$21/yr (full year); $15.50 half yearDBPR license per machine dispensing time/temperature-control-for-safety food.
Temporary food service event$91 (1-3 day event); $105 (4-30 day event); $456 annual vendorDBPR temporary event vendor license (fairs, festivals, carnivals).
Florida 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: escambia.floridahealth.gov · escambia.floridahealth.gov · www2.myfloridalicense.com · www2.myfloridalicense.com · observed 2026-08-10