Local permits & fees

Middlesex County, NJ — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Middlesex County Office of Health Services (Department of Public Safety & Health), Inspection Division (NJ-licensed Registered Environmental Health Specialists inspect food establishments under Chapter 24); retail food LICENSES are issued by each municipality · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment License (municipal license under N.J.A.C. 8:24, Chapter 24)

Fee not published online — contact the department.

As with all NJ counties, retail food licensing is a MUNICIPAL function. The Middlesex County Office of Health Services conducts the inspections (goal: at least twice/year) but the operating license is issued and priced by each municipality's ordinance. Typical NJ municipal fees run ~$100-$500/yr. Example within the county: North Brunswick and Metuchen publish their own food-establishment license fee schedules. Left null - no single county fee.

Plan review — required

Fee not published online.

Turnaround: Not published. Plan review may be required before a municipality issues a new retail-food license.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Retail Food Establishment License (municipal, under N.J.A.C. 8:24)

Fee not published online — contact the department.

Mobile/food-truck licensing is municipal. Operators need a satisfactory inspection from the county Office of Health Services plus a retail food license from the base municipality and approvals in each town they operate in; a commissary is required. County did not publish a set fee - left null.

How to apply

Forms & applications

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New Jersey 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: www.middlesexcountynj.gov · www.nj.gov · observed 2026-08-07