Massachusetts has NO county-level health department; food establishment permits are issued and priced by each municipality's Board of Health under state code 105 CMR 590. Fees vary city to town; Cambridge (a Middlesex County city) is shown as a representative schedule. Lowell, Newton, Framingham, etc. each set their own fees.
Each municipality permits mobile food units under 105 CMR 590; a truck typically needs a permit in EACH city/town where it operates. Commissary required. Fees differ by municipality.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| caterer | Cambridge $100.00 | MA licensing is municipal (105 CMR 590); Cambridge shown as a representative Middlesex city. Fees vary by town. |
| commissary / commercial food processing | Cambridge: Commercial Food Processing $100.00 | Cambridge lists 'Commercial Food Processing' as the closest commissary/central-kitchen category. |
| bakery / food processing | Cambridge: Bakery (Retail) $125.00 | Retail bakery category on the Cambridge schedule. |
| bar / limited food service | Cambridge: Food establishment (Alcohol) $100.00 + $2.00 per seat | Alcohol-serving food establishment tier; non-alcohol is $50 + $2/seat. |
| grocery / market with deli | Cambridge: Retail Food Store $200.00 + $100.00 per 500 sq ft of selling area; Package Store $300.00 + $100.00 per 500 sq ft | Retail food store schedule (Cambridge). A deli/prep area may add a food establishment permit. |
| temporary / seasonal event | Cambridge: Temporary Food Handler's Permit $25.00 | Used for special events and farmers markets. |
| pushcart / mobile vending | Cambridge: Mobile Food Server $200.00 | Each municipality issues its own mobile permit; a truck typically needs one in every town where it operates. |