Locally administered by the Lake County Health Department (Crown Point; Gary / NW Indiana). Unusually, the annual permit fee is set by NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES per establishment, not by risk level or square footage. New establishments applying July-December pay 50% of the fee. Seasonal operations pay 1/3 (<=4 months) or 1/2 (4-6 months) of the annual fee. Religious, fraternal, educational, charitable and civic organizations are exempt from fees. Late renewal (after March 1) = double fee.
Set by county ordinance Ch. 112(H). Indiana requires a commissary/base of operations for mobile units under 410 IAC 7-24.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery / market with deli | $0.40 per 100 square feet, minimum fee $30 (Grocery Store Permits WITHOUT delicatessens). A grocery with a delicatessen/food-prep area is instead licensed as a Food Preparation permit by employee count ($150-$460). | County ordinance Ch. 112(E)(1)(b) prices grocery stores without delis by square footage; adding a deli shifts it to the employee-based food preparation permit. |
| Temporary / seasonal event | $15 per any one continuous operation at any location (temporary food preparation establishment or grocer). Existing seasonal establishments pay 1/3 (<=4 months) or 1/2 (4-6 months) of the annual fee. | Flat $15 temporary fee under Ch. 112(G); seasonal proration applies to permanent establishments operating part of the year. |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | $25 annual (Mobile Food Preparation Establishment). Waived if the mobile unit operates under a valid permanent or temporary permit with that permit number displayed. | County ordinance Ch. 112(H); Indiana requires a commissary/base of operations under 410 IAC 7-24. |