Local permits & fees

Mahoning County, OH — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Mahoning County Public Health (MCPH), Food Safety Program (county general health district serving Youngstown and Mahoning County) · 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 (annual, risk Level 1-4)
Commercial less than 25,000 sq ft: Level 1 $286.00, Level 2 $318.00, Level 3 $585.00, Level 4 $735.00. Commercial 25,000 sq ft or greater: Level 1 $401.00, Level 2 $421.00, Level 3 $1,426.00, Level 4 $1,511.00 (each total includes the $28.00 Ohio state portion)

Fee schedule active Feb 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026. Ohio-standardized risk Level 1 (lowest risk) through Level 4 (highest risk); Level IV includes catering operations. A 25% delinquent (late) fee is added if application/payment is not postmarked by March 1. Fees set per Ohio Admin. Code 3701-36-14.

Plan review — required

Facility Review Fee by risk level and size. Less than 25,000 sq ft: Level 1 $100.00, Level 2 $200.00, Level 3 $300.00, Level 4 $400.00. 25,000 sq ft or greater: Level 1 $200.00, Level 2 $400.00, Level 3 $600.00, Level 4 $800.00. (Mobile plan review: N/A/no fee.)

Turnaround: State law permits the health department 30 days to approve plans or request more information

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile FSO/RFE license (risk-based)
High-Risk Mobile $180.00 ($152.00 MCPH + $28.00 state); Low-Risk Mobile $104.00 ($76.00 MCPH + $28.00 state)

Mobile license priced by risk; no plan review fee for mobiles. A commissary/servicing base is required under Ohio law.

Watch out for

  • Ohio state-standardized risk levels (Level 1 lowest through Level 4 highest); a fixed $28.00 state portion is added to every FSO/RFE license ($6.00 for vending).
  • Temporary FSO/RFE license: $133.00 per event (commercial).
  • Vending FSO/RFE: $25.60 per machine ($19.60 MCPH + $6.00 state).
  • Mandatory 25% delinquent fee for renewing after the March 1 deadline (per ORC 3717).
  • Wholesale operations and home bakeries are licensed by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, not MCPH; retail bakeries are licensed as RFE on the risk schedule.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
CatererLicensed as an FSO at Level 4 (highest risk): commercial less than 25,000 sq ft $735.00; 25,000 sq ft or greater $1,511.00 (incl. $28 state portion)Ohio classifies catering food service operations as a Level IV activity per ORC 3717.01(G); priced on the FSO risk schedule.
Bakery / food processingnull - wholesale operations and home bakeries are licensed by the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture, not MCPH. A retail bakery is licensed as an RFE on the risk-based schedule (e.g., less than 25,000 sq ft Level 1 $286.00 up to Level 4 $735.00).Ohio splits wholesale/home bakery (ODA) from retail bakery (RFE).
Grocery / market with deliRetail Food Establishment (RFE) on the same risk schedule as restaurants: commercial less than 25,000 sq ft $286.00 (Level 1), $318.00 (Level 2), $585.00 (Level 3), $735.00 (Level 4); 25,000 sq ft or greater $401.00-$1,511.00 by level (incl. $28 state portion)Ohio licenses grocery/markets as RFE; a store with a deli/prep area rises in risk level, priced identically to FSO.
Temporary / seasonal event$133.00 per event (commercial)Flat temporary FSO/RFE license fee on the Feb 1-Dec 31, 2026 schedule.
Pushcart / mobile vendingMobile FSO/RFE: High-Risk $180.00, Low-Risk $104.00 (each incl. $28 state portion). Vending: $25.60 per machine ($19.60 + $6 state).Mobile license priced by risk; a commissary/servicing base is required. Vending machines are a separate line.
Sources: www.mahoninghealth.org · www.mahoninghealth.org · www.mahoninghealth.org · observed 2026-08-07