Local permits & fees

Lucas County, OH — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Toledo-Lucas County Health Department (TLCHD), Environmental Health / Food Safety (serves Toledo) · 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

Commercial <25,000 sq ft by risk level: L1 $291.94; L2 $327.16; L3 $613.10; L4 $773.68. Commercial >25,000 sq ft: L1 $415.90; L2 $437.03; L3 $1,514.60; L4 $1,604.76

Fees from TLCHD 2026 Program Fees. Ohio risk levels 1-4 (4 highest). Vending $17.23; commercial temporary $164.75.

Plan review — required

Remodel $210; Class 1&2 (<25,000 sq ft) $315; Class 3&4 (<25,000 sq ft) $470; Class 1-4 (>25,000 sq ft) $500; expedited +$1,260; prelicense reinspection $100. Mobile plan review listed at $0

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food License (FSO/RFE mobile)

Mobile-High Risk $273.52; Mobile-Low Risk $150.76; mobile plan review $0

Mobile units must move routinely; higher-risk processes need advance approval by inspecting EH Specialist. Motorized trucks/trailers must carry $1,000,000 liability.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

~100 licensed food trucks in the Toledo area (2025).
Mobile Food Application (June 2025) and FSO/RFE plan-review packets posted on TLCHD site.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
market/grocery with deli (RFE)	$291.94-$1,604.76 by risk/size	Retail Food Establishments licensed under same Commercial FSO/RFE risk levels as restaurants. <25,000 sq ft: L1 $291.94, L2 $327.16, L3 $613.10, L4 $773.68. >25,000 sq ft: L1 $415.90, L2 $437.03, L3 $1,514.60, L4 $1,604.76.
temporary/special-event	$164.75	Commercial Temporary food license.
vending	$17.23	Vending Machine License.
caterer	—	No separate caterer license; Ohio classifies catering within FSO/RFE risk levels (Level 1-4).
bakery	—	No separate bakery license; folded into FSO/RFE risk levels.
commissary/central kitchen	—	No separate commissary line; licensed as FSO/RFE.
food processing/wholesale	—	State-regulated by Ohio Dept of Agriculture, not the county.

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: lucascountyhealth.com · lucascountyhealth.com · lucascountyhealth.com · observed 2026-08-10