foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Onslow County, NC — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Onslow County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (Consolidated Human Services) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Establishment Permit
null - North Carolina does not charge an annual food service establishment permit fee; the state permit is issued at no cost once the facility passes plan review and inspection. Counties charge only the one-time plan review fee.

Permit issued per rules adopted under the NC Food Code. The cost to open is the plan review fee below.

Plan review — required

$250 (Food Service Establishments); Food Service & Lodging remodel of existing facility $125; add 3.75% if paid by credit card

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit & Commissary (plan review)
$75 (mobile food unit & commissary plan review)

Mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; the annual permit itself is free per NC law.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • Fees taken from the Onslow County Environmental Health Fee Schedule FY 2026-2027.
  • Plan review required for new or remodeled facilities; application must include menu, scaled plans, and equipment spec sheets.
  • Other food application fees: Temporary Food Establishments $75; Limited Food Service Establishments $75.
  • Office: 234 NW Corridor Blvd., Jacksonville, NC 28540; (910) 938-5851.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Commissary / central preparation kitchen$75 (Mobile Food Unit & Commissary plan review)One-time plan review fee; annual permit is free under NC law. Source: Onslow EH Fee Schedule FY 2026-2027.
Bar / limited food service$75 (Limited Food Service Establishments)Application/plan review fee from the Onslow EH fee schedule.
Temporary / seasonal event$75 (Temporary Food Establishments)Application fee; add 3.75% if paid by credit card.
Pushcart / mobile vending$75 (Mobile Food Unit & Commissary plan review)NC issues the operating permit at no cost; only the plan review fee applies.
North Carolina 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.onslowcountync.gov · www.onslowcountync.gov · www.onslowcountync.gov · observed 2026-08-07