Local permits & fees

Lancaster County, NE — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, Environmental Health / Food Safety Program · department site →

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

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Establishment Permit

$645 new permit / $440 renewal - source https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Health-Department/Fees

Fee amount is set annually by the Health Director per Lincoln Municipal Code 8.20.150 (fees last updated Sept 2025). Establishment reinstatement fee $330; each additional food-prep facility $205.

Plan review — required

null - plans/specifications must be submitted to the Health Director before construction, conversion, or remodeling (LMC 8.20); a separate plan-review dollar fee is not published on the fee schedule

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit

$205 (new or renewal, as additional facility) - source https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Health-Department/Fees

Mobile Food Unit is charged as an additional facility ($205). Food Catering Service is also $205 as an additional facility.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

Lincoln-Lancaster is a self-governing local health department that sets its own food fees (Health Director, per LMC 8.20.150).
Full fee schedule published at lincoln.ne.gov Health Department Fees page (last updated Sept 2025).
Food Handler Permit $20; Food Protection Manager $30; Responsible Beverage Server $15.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Caterer	$205 (Food Catering Service, new or renewal, as additional facility) - source https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Health-Department/Fees	Charged as an additional facility tied to a food establishment permit.
Commissary / central preparation kitchen	$205 (each additional food-prep facility) - source https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Health-Department/Fees	Additional food-prep facility add-on.
Temporary / seasonal event	Single event (<=14 days) $185; with related food establishment $95; non-profit single event $95; annual (multiple events) $440; annual non-profit $220 - source https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Health-Department/Fees	Fees last updated Sept 2025.
Pushcart / mobile vending	$205 (Mobile Food Unit, new or renewal, as additional facility) - source https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Health-Department/Fees	Mobile Food Unit charged as an additional facility.

Nebraska 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: www.lincoln.ne.gov · www.lincoln.ne.gov · online.encodeplus.com · observed 2026-08-07