Local permits & fees

Larimer County, CO — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Larimer County Department of Health & Environment (LCDHE), 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

Retail Food Establishment License (annual, Colorado statewide 2026 schedule)
Restaurant 0-100 seats $481; 101-200 seats $538; 200+ seats $581; Limited Food Service $338; Grocery w/deli $469 (<=15k sqft) to $894 (>15k). No-fee license for K-12 schools & qualifying non-profits.

Fees follow the Colorado statewide retail food fee schedule (effective CY2026; increasing in later years). LCDHE, 1525 Blue Spruce Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80524; (970) 498-6775.

Plan review — required

Plan Review Application $155; On-site review + pre-opening inspection $288 (+ $96/hour after 3 hours); hourly rate $96/hr. (Mobile plan review historically capped, not to exceed $580.)

Turnaround: null - specific turnaround not published; Colorado law requires plans approved before construction/remodel/takeover

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment / Retail Food License (mobile)
Mobile Food Unit - Prepackaged $338; Mobile Food Unit - Full Food Service $481 (CO statewide 2026)

LCDHE distinguishes 'mobile units' (service from inside the unit) from 'carts' (service from outside). Commissary agreement required; for multi-day events commissary must be within 60 min/60 miles. HB25-1295 added statewide mobile reciprocity.

Watch out for

  • License fees track the Colorado statewide retail food fee schedule, so Larimer amounts match other CO counties (e.g., Boulder, Arapahoe).
  • License fee increases are scheduled for 2026 and beyond under the phased statewide schedule.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterer$481 / $538 / $581Larimer retail food licensing follows the Colorado statewide fee schedule (SB 25-285, 2026 fees for licenses issued on/after Sept 1, 2025). Caterers licensed by seating like restaurants: 0-100 seats $481, 101-200 $538, 200+ $581.
Market / grocery with deli$469 / $8942026 statewide schedule: grocery with deli $469 (<15,001 sq ft) / $894 (>15,000 sq ft); grocery without deli $244 / $441.
Limited food service / pushcart$338Limited food service establishment 2026 fee $338 (statewide). Larimer food safety page lists pushcarts among mobile/pushcart units.
Commissary / central kitchenNo separate commissary license category; commissaries are licensed as retail food establishments. Vendors at multi-day events must operate from an approved commissary within 60 minutes / 60 miles of the event, with a written commissary agreement filed with the vendor application.
BakeryRetail bakeries licensed as retail food establishments; wholesale/manufacturing bakeries fall under CDPHE Manufactured Food, not the county retail program. No standalone bakery fee published.
Food processing / wholesaleFood processors/manufacturers regulated by CDPHE Manufactured Food & Consumer Packaged Goods program, not Larimer County retail food licensing. Larimer food safety page lists 'food processors' among regulated operations but publishes no county fee.
Sources: www.larimer.gov · www.larimer.gov · www.larimer.gov · www.larimer.gov · observed 2026-08-07