foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Montgomery County, PA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) - one of Pennsylvania's independent local health departments (issues its own food licenses) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Eating & Drinking Establishment License (Type A - sit-down dining)
Up to 49 seats $345; 50-199 seats $385; 200+ seats $460

Montgomery County runs its own independent health department and issues its own food licenses (renewed annually; facilities invoiced ~45 days before expiration). Amounts are from the OPH Fee and Permit Schedule effective January 1, 2026 (Public Health Code). Sit-down dining WITH retail sales (AA license) = the A fee plus the applicable Retail Food Facility (C) fee.

Plan review — required

Plan Review fee for a food establishment $265. Retail food facility plan review is by square footage: $265 for 2,000 sq ft or less, plus $65 for each additional 1-200 sq ft.

Turnaround: Written approval/denial/request within 30 days of a complete license application + plan review packet

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Vendor License (Type E)
$290 per vehicle

Montgomery County is one of the PA counties running its own health department, so it issues its own mobile food permit with its own fees and plan-review/inspection rules. Amount from the OPH Fee and Permit Schedule effective January 1, 2026 (was $285 in 2025).

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • One of Pennsylvania's independent county/municipal health departments - does its own licensing (state PDA does not license here).
  • Fee and Permit Schedule effective January 1, 2026 (2026 amounts up slightly from the 2025 schedule).
  • Commissary / caterer (Type D) license $460; Take-out/no-seating and non-temporary vendors (Type B) $290; Non-profit charitable operation (Type F) $105.
  • Retail Food Facility (Type C, e.g. grocery/convenience) tiered by square footage: $155 (<=1,500 sq ft) up to $700 (15,001+ sq ft).
  • Temporary Food Service (special event) $180 per vendor; nonprofit $105. Mass Gathering $885 processing + $180 per booth/stand.
  • Farmer's Market Vendor permit $160. Field services: Follow-up Opening $285; Re-Inspection $355; Duplicate License $95; Food Safety Manager's Certificate $95.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
caterer / commissary$460 (Type D - Commissaries including caterers)From the OPH Fee and Permit Schedule effective January 1, 2026 (was $450 in 2025).
retail food facility / grocery / convenience (Type C)By square footage: <=1,500 sq ft $155; 1,501-2,500 $325; 2,501-5,000 $355; 5,001-7,500 $420; 7,501-10,000 $520; 10,001-15,000 $590; 15,001+ $700Type C Retail Food Facilities (grocery stores, mini marts, convenience stores). A retail facility with take-out/sit-down dining (CC license) adds the Take-out (B) or Sit-down (A) fee.
take-out / limited food service (Type B)$290Take-out facilities with no seating; also applies to non-temporary vendors (Type B license).
temporary / seasonal event$180 per vendor (special event); nonprofit $105Temporary Food Service License (special events). Mass Gathering is separate: $885 processing + $180 per booth/stand.
pushcart / mobile vending$290 per vehicle (Type E - Mobile Food Vendor)Montgomery County OPH issues its own mobile permit as an independent PA health department.
farmers' market vendor$160Farmer's Market Vendor permit fee (2026 schedule).
non-profit charitable operation (Type F)$105Non-Profit charitable operation food license (Type F).
Pennsylvania 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.montgomerycountypa.gov · www.montgomerycountypa.gov · assets.montgomerycountypa.gov · www.montgomerycountypa.gov · observed 2026-08-10