Each vendor is reviewed via a High/Low Risk assessment based on foods'/beverages' potential to cause foodborne illness. Other prepared-food facility types are $475/yr each (bar, bakery, cafeteria, commissary).
Carts tiered by food-handling complexity; a commissary is required.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commissary / central preparation kitchen | $475/yr | Merced County Environmental Health service fees (incl. 2.3% increase eff. 7/1/2025). |
| Bakery / food processing | $475/yr (bakery) | Priced with other prepared-food facility types. |
| Bar / limited food service | $475/yr (bar) | Same tier as bakery/cafeteria/commissary. |
| Grocery / market with deli | Retail grocery tiered by size: from $33/yr (under 300 sq ft) up to $1,174/yr (over 30,001 sq ft) | Grocery stores are priced by square footage. |
| Temporary / seasonal event | Low-risk single event $34; high-risk single event $99; annual temporary permits $173-$493 by risk level | Single-event vs. annual temporary permits. |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | Mobile food carts: basic (non-potentially hazardous) $199; intermediate $231; advanced $264; deep-fat fryer / cooked-to-order $475 | Cart tiers by food-handling complexity; single-site operations $133-$199. |