foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Hamilton County, OH — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Hamilton County Public Health - Environmental Health Division (General Health District). NOTE: Establishments within the City of Cincinnati are licensed by the Cincinnati Health Department. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Operation (FSO) / Retail Food Establishment (RFE) License (annual)
Commercial food facility <25,000 sq ft (Health District + State fee = Total): Risk 1: $257; Risk 2: $281; Risk 3: $477; Risk 4: $588. Facility >=25,000 sq ft: Risk 1: $342; Risk 2: $356; Risk 3: $1,096; Risk 4: $1,158. Late fee (after March 1) = +25%.

Fees effective 12/1/2025 (includes $28 state fee). Risk level set by food-handling complexity (Risk 4 = raw/undercooked animal foods, catering, HSP, curing, etc.). One employee per shift must complete food manager training for new operations opened after 3/1/2010.

Plan review — required

By risk & size: <25,000 sq ft - Risk 1: $100; Risk 2: $150; Risk 3: $300; Risk 4: $400. >=25,000 sq ft - Risk 1: $150; Risk 2: $200; Risk 3: $400; Risk 4: $500.

Turnaround: Health Department personnel contact applicant within 30 days with questions or approval

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Service Operation License (annual)
Mobile High-Risk: $128 (total incl. $28 state fee); Mobile Low-Risk: $78. Temporary FSO: $68. Vending: $14.30.

Mobile = movable vehicle/portable structure that routinely changes location and does not remain at one location >40 consecutive days. Requires a mobile plan review application.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • Fee schedule (HCPH-EH_Fees-Table effective 1/1/26) splits Health District fee and state fee; a 25% late fee applies after March 1.
  • All equipment must be NSF-approved; 40 foot-candle lighting minimum required in food prep and warewashing areas.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Commercial Food Facility (retail food establishment / food service), Risk Levels 1-4Health-district fee varies by risk level and by facility size (<25,000 vs >25,000 sq ft)Ohio FSO/RFE model; grocery/market/deli, bakery, caterer all fall under risk-leveled commercial food facility license rather than named categories. Large facilities (>25,000 sq ft) carry higher fees than <25,000 sq ft.
Vending$100 total (approx., incl. state fee)Vending license; figure read from 1/1/26 fee table (columns tightly packed).
Temporary$175 total (approx., incl. state fee)Temporary food license; figure from 1/1/26 fee table.
Ohio 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: hamiltoncountyhealth.org · hamiltoncountyhealth.org · hamiltoncountyhealth.org · observed 2026-08-06