Local permits & fees

Imperial County, CA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Imperial County Public Health Department, Division of Environmental Health · department site →

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

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Facility Annual Health Permit (by risk category and square footage)

Low risk: $558 (<=1,500 sq ft) to $913 (>=10,000 sq ft); Moderate risk: $666 to $1,242; High risk: $777 (<=1,500 sq ft) to $1,572 (>=10,000 sq ft)

CalCode permit priced by risk level (low/moderate/high) and four size bands (<=1,500; 1,501-5,000; 5,001-10,000; >=10,000 sq ft). Fee schedule dated 7/29/2025.

Plan review — required

$153.00 (EH Building Plan Review base fee)

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Facility permit

Processing $459; Limited Prep $375; Non-Processing $330 (annual)

Three mobile classes by food-handling level. From Environmental Health fee schedule 7/29/2025.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

School cafeteria permit $622.
Temporary food facility: 1-3 days for-profit $50; 4-15 days for-profit $283; late processing fee $75.
Administered from 797 Main Street, Suite B, El Centro, CA.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Caterer	$347 (annual)	Imperial County Environmental Health fee schedule 7/29/2025.
Commissary / central preparation kitchen	$233 (annual)	Commissary permit.
Temporary / seasonal event	1-3 days (for-profit) $50; 4-15 days (for-profit) $283; non-profit 12-month prepackaged $102; event organizer $5 per participating food facility	Late processing fee $75 if submitted after the two-week deadline.

California 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.