Medina County Health Department (Environmental Health / Food Safety). Ohio licenses food operations under ORC Chapter 3717 as Food Service Operations (FSO) and Retail Food Establishments (RFE), each risk-classified Level 1-4 (plus Micromarket). The county health district is the licensor for FSO/RFE; annual license fees are set by the county Board of Health, not published as a dollar table on the website. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Confirm the authority for your exact address. Some cities run their own health division, and building, planning, fire, sewer/grease and business-license approvals are separate even when Medina County Health Department (Environmental Health / Food Safety). Ohio licenses food operations under ORC Chapter 3717 as Food Service Operations (FSO) and Retail Food Establishments (RFE), each risk-classified Level 1-4 (plus Micromarket). The county health district is the licensor for FSO/RFE; annual license fees are set by the county Board of Health, not published as a dollar table on the website. issues the health permit.
The restaurant market in Medina County
What the local foodservice landscape looks like — useful whether you’re opening here or sizing up the competition.
315
food & drink establishments
6,165
industry jobs
$119M
annual payroll
$19,333
avg wage / worker
105 full-service restaurants
131 limited-service & fast food
15 bars & drinking places
34 snack & coffee bars
10 mobile food & trucks
▲ 0.3% change in establishments since 2022 (314 → 315).
The average foodservice wage here is $1,295 below the Ohio average ($20,628); Ohio has about 24,162 food & drink establishments statewide.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 (NAICS 722, food services & drinking places) — establishments with paid employees. Some small-county payroll figures are withheld by Census for confidentiality.
Last verified: 2026-08-17 — we re-confirmed the serving authority, its contact, and that the fees below match the current published schedule. Fee schedules may carry an earlier effective date (shown per fee); local ordinances & amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date? Report an update →
Restaurant / food-facility permit
Food Service Operation (FSO) License (Risk Level 1-4)
annual FSO/RFE license fee not published online
set by the Medina County Board of Health and based on risk level (1-4)
Contact MCHD Environmental Health at (330) 723-9523 for the current fee schedule
Restaurants/bars are licensed as FSOs; grocery/convenience stores as RFEs; Risk classification (Level 1-4, plus Micromarket) is based on menu and is verified with a food inspector; Payment accepted by phone (Visa/MC/Discover/Amex); Authority: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3717
Plan review — required
plan review fee is based on the facility'
s risk classification (Level 1-4)
the dollar amount is not published on the FSO/RFE Plans Submittal Form
Ohio local health districts inspect under the Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code (risk-based, critical/non-critical violations); no letter grade or score.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Service Operation / Mobile Retail Food Establishment License
annual mobile FSO/RFE license fee not published online
set by the county Board of Health
Contact MCHD Environmental Health at (330) 723-9523
Mobile units (fair/festival trailers, carts) require plan review before licensing; see the Mobile Plan Review Guide; Farmers-market and festival vendors may instead qualify for a temporary food license
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
Local food-service market
About 314 food & drinking establishments serve ~184,042 residents in Medina County — one per ~586 residents, sparser than the Ohio average (one per ~574).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Grease trap & FOG requirements
Under Ohio Plumbing Code (based on 2021 IPC), food establishments here must control fats, oils & grease (FOG) with a grease interceptor or trap, and typically register with the local sewer/wastewater authority. Grease interceptors are required under the Ohio Plumbing Code, with FOG discharge limits enforced by the local sewer authority.
Size the interceptor with our grease-trap sizing calculator, compare units in the grease-trap catalog, and confirm the local FOG permit with Medina County Health Department (Environmental Health / Food Safety). Ohio licenses food operations under ORC Chapter 3717 as Food Service Operations (FSO) and Retail Food Establishments (RFE), each risk-classified Level 1-4 (plus Micromarket). The county health district is the licensor for FSO/RFE; annual license fees are set by the county Board of Health, not published as a dollar table on the website. (contact above).
Fire suppression & backflow
Hood fire suppression (Ohio Fire Code (based on 2021 IFC)): commercial cooking under a Type I hood needs a wet-chemical suppression system to NFPA 96, permitted and inspected by the local fire marshal. Commercial kitchen hood suppression follows NFPA 96 as adopted in the Ohio Fire Code and is inspected by the local fire authority. See do I need a hood? and the hood CFM calculator.
Backflow prevention: Restaurants must install a testable backflow preventer (typically an RPZ) that is tested annually and reported to the local water utility. A certified backflow assembly (often an RPZ) on the water service, tested annually, is standard — confirm with your water utility.
Watch out for
Temporary Food License is a PUBLISHED fee: $80.00 per event ($40.00 for a nonprofit / 501(c)(3) organization); valid for a maximum of 5 consecutive days; Apply at least 10 days before the event
Ohio FSO/RFE risk levels 1-4 plus a Micromarket category determine both license and plan-review fees
Home bakeries and cottage food operate under Ohio Administrative Code 901:3-20-04 (state cottage-food rules), not a county license
Annual FSO/RFE and mobile license dollar amounts are NOT published on the county website and were not found in any online fee schedule as of 2026-08-07
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Grocery / market with deli
licensed as a Retail Food Establishment (RFE), risk-classified Level 1-4; annual RFE fee not published online, set by the Medina County Board of Health (contact 330-723-9523)
Convenience/grocery stores are RFEs under ORC Chapter 3717
Temporary / seasonal event
$80 per event ($40 for a nonprofit / 501(c)(3))
Temporary Food License, maximum 5 consecutive days; apply at least 10 days before the event; PUBLISHED fee
Pushcart / mobile vending
Mobile Food Service Operation / Mobile RFE license fee not published online; set by the county Board of Health (contact 330-723-9523)
Mobile units require plan review before licensing (Mobile Plan Review Guide)
Bakery / food processing
home bakeries and cottage food operate under Ohio Admin; Code 901:3-20-04 (state cottage-food rules), not a county license fee
Cottage food fact sheet published by MCHD; no county fee for qualifying home bakeries
Equipment your Medina County plan review will check
Health-department plan review looks for specific, code-compliant fixtures. Compare spec-filtered options, then confirm counts and sizes with your local requirements. See the full list in what equipment a commercial kitchen requires.
annual FSO/RFE license fee not published online; set by the Medina County Board of Health and based on risk level (1-4); Contact MCHD Environmental Health at (330) 723-9523 for the current fee schedule These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Medina County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: plan review fee is based on the facility's risk classification (Level 1-4); the dollar amount is not published on the FSO/RFE Plans Submittal Form; Contact MCHD at (330) 723-9523
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Medina County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile units (fair/festival trailers, carts) require plan review before licensing; see the Mobile Plan Review Guide; Farmers-market and festival vendors may instead qualify for a temporary food license
Who issues food permits in Medina County?
Food permits here are issued by Medina County Health Department (Environmental Health / Food Safety). Ohio licenses food operations under ORC Chapter 3717 as Food Service Operations (FSO) and Retail Food Establishments (RFE), each risk-classified Level 1-4 (plus Micromarket). The county health district is the licensor for FSO/RFE; annual license fees are set by the county Board of Health, not published as a dollar table on the website.. See the department site for current details.
Are city building and fire approvals separate?
Yes — building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals are always separate from the health permit and are often handled by different offices.