Local permits & fees

Monterey County, CA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Monterey County Health Department - Environmental Health Bureau · department site →

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

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Restaurant/Deli/Bar Annual Health Permit

$1,495 (Tier 2)

Restaurants/Deli/Bars by risk tier (effective 7/1/2026, FY26-27): Tier 1 bar only, no food prep $1,205; Tier 2 $1,495; Tier 3 $1,876. Retail markets with food prep and other categories priced separately.

Plan review — required

New facility with food preparation $4,140; existing facility major remodel $3,321; minor remodel or new facility with limited/no food prep $1,682

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Facility Permit

$1,293 (Mobile Food Preparation Unit)

Mobile Food Preparation Units $1,293; Mobile Food limited food prep (tamales/corn/hot dogs) $611; Mobile Food pre-packaged/bulk/catering truck $518; Compact Mobile Food Operation (limited prep) $611 / push cart $332; ice cream push carts $129-$735. FY26-27 rates.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

The first annual permit fee is billed after the facility is permitted; it is NOT included in the plan-check fee.
Food facility health permits renew annually and must be paid before July 1 each year.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
caterer	$759	Catering Operation (PE 4113), annual; Host Facility (brewery/winery/commercial building) PE 4114 also $759. Effective July 1, 2026.
commissary/shared/central kitchen	$1,495	Commissary Food Preparation - no retail (PE 4026) $1,495; Commissary (non-Food Prep) - no retail (PE 4030) $1,084; Commissary verification 2-hr min (PE 4034) $519.
bar/tavern	$1,205	Under 'Restaurants/Deli/Bars': Tier 1 Bar only, no food prep (PE 4120) $1,205; Tier 2 (4122) $1,495; Tier 3 (4123) $1,876.
market/grocery with deli	$1,954	Retail Markets with Food Preparation: Tier 2 (PE 4192) $1,954; Tier 3 (4193) $2,511. Retail Markets no/limited prep: Tier 1 (4127) $1,084; Tier 2 (4128) $1,425. Deli falls under Restaurants/Deli/Bars category.
temporary/seasonal/special-event	$519	Temporary Food Facility 1-3 days For-Profit (PE 4146) $519; Community Event Organizer/Sponsor per event (4038) $648; Snack Bar 4-mo seasonal (4139) $476; TFF w/ food prep annual permit (4158) $1,100.
pushcart/limited or low-risk operation	$129	Ice Cream Push Carts 1-4 (PE 4071) $129; 5-10 (4073) $251; Compact Mobile Food Push Cart Operation, prepackaged (4088) $332; Produce Stands, produce & eggs only (4116) $737.
food processing/wholesale	—	No distinct retail food processing/wholesale permit published in the Environmental Health Master Fee Resolution (Article I.E).
bakery	—	No stationary bakery permit category; only mobile 'Bakery, Produce, Frozen Food or Ice Cream Trucks (Bulk)' (PE 4068) $341.

California 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.countyofmonterey.gov · www.countyofmonterey.gov · www.countyofmonterey.gov · observed 2026-08-07