State-administered: Delaware has no county health departments; the DPH Office of Food Protection issues permits statewide, including all of New Castle County (Wilmington). Annual, non-refundable fee is due only after the facility is approved for an operating permit. Churches, schools, fire companies and other non-profits are exempt from fees. (Delaware DPH page blocked automated re-fetch 2026-08-10; figures carried from official DPH schedule.)
Turnaround: Plans reviewed within 60 working days, in order received
Mobile units must undergo plan review and typically operate from an approved commissary; a separate DE business license and any municipal vendor permit also apply.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | $100/yr (Public Eating Place permit) | Delaware permits a caterer as a Public Eating Place at the flat $100 annual fee; 'Caterer Without Premises' has its own plan-review track before the operating permit is issued. |
| Commissary / central preparation kitchen | null - not a separately priced category; a commissary is permitted as a Public Eating Place ($100/yr) or Commercial Food Processor ($30/yr) depending on activity. Confirm with the Office of Food Protection. | No distinct commissary fee line on the DE schedule. |
| Bakery / food processing | $30/yr (Commercial Food Processors); a retail bakery serving the public is a Public Eating Place ($100/yr) or Retail Food Store ($100/yr) | Delaware's flat schedule prices commercial food processors at $30; retail bakeries fall under eating-place/retail-store at $100. |
| Bar / limited food service | $100/yr (Public Eating Place permit) | A bar serving food is permitted as a Public Eating Place at the flat $100 fee; not a separate category. |
| Grocery / market with deli | $100/yr (Retail Food Store permit) | Grocery/market is a Retail Food Store ($100/yr); an in-store deli/food-prep area is covered under the same or a Public Eating Place permit. |
| Temporary / seasonal event | $0 (Temporary Food Establishment permit - no fee) | DE Temporary Food Establishment permits carry no fee; non-profits are exempt from fees generally. |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | null - Mobile Food Unit permit requires plan review ($50-$250 by sq ft); the annual mobile operating-permit amount is not on an official flat schedule (~$143/yr appears only in secondary sources). Confirm with the Office of Food Protection (302-744-4546). | Mobile units undergo plan review and generally require an approved commissary. |