Local permits & fees

Orange County, CA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Environmental Health Division · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Facility Health Permit (annual)
$482-$2,043/yr by prep-risk (Minimal/Limited/Complex) x seat count (column eff. to 6/30/2027).

Set by risk category and seats; schedule steps up annually - confirm the current column.

Plan review — required

New construction $1,599 (<2,000 sqft) to $2,686 (30,000+); remodels $640-$1,879; food vehicle/cart plan check $576. Expedited +50%.

Turnaround: ~20 working days; must be approved before construction/opening.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Facility (MFF) Permit
$192-$780/yr by food type; full unpackaged hot-food truck tops at $780. Plus $576 vehicle plan check. Short-term (<=90 days) 25% or $50.

Commissary/mobile support unit required; separate plan check before permit.

Watch out for

  • Plans submitted electronically via the county's EPS system (Microsoft Box), not a one-click portal; [email protected].
  • MFFs must operate from an approved commissary/mobile support unit; annual fee escalates each year.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterer$1,148Catering/Caterer (Complex Prep) less than 2,000 sq ft $1,148; 2,000-5,999 $1,391; 6,000+ $1,455. Fees shown are current effective through 6/30/2027 (4-tier proposed schedule)
Shared food facility$352Shared Food Facility Application Review; current effective through 6/30/2027
Commissary / food processing$390Packaged Food Warehouse/Commissary <2,000 sq ft $390, 2,000-5,999 $495, 6,000-29,999 $512, 30,000+ $668; Unpackaged Food Processing/Commissary <2,000 $762, 2,000-5,999 $1,054, 6,000-29,999 $1,369, 30,000+ $1,665. Effective through 6/30/2027
Wholesale bakery$1,261Wholesale Bakery <2,000 sq ft $1,261; 2,000-5,999 $1,269; 6,000-29,999 $1,696; 30,000+ $1,862. Effective through 6/30/2027
Bar / tavernNo standalone bar permit; bars permitted as Restaurant (Minimal Preparation), 60 seats or less $482
Market / grocery with deli$278Food Market Retail (prepackaged) <2,000 sq ft $278, 2,000+ $382; Retail w/ Limited Food Prep (grocery/supermarket) <2,000 $765 up to $1,512; Retail w/ 1 Food Prep Area (grocery complex/deli) <2,000 $1,424 up to $2,805. Effective through 6/30/2027
Temporary / special event$147Single Event TFF Cat 1 (prepackaged) $147, Cat 2 (unpackaged) $217; Site Specific TFF Cat 1 $179, Cat 2 $217; Annual TFF Cat 1 $333, Cat 2 $640; Community Event Organizer 1-25 vendors $359, 26-50 $739, 51+ $1,279; Certified Farmers Market (incl organizer) $475; Food Demonstrator/Sampler $192. Effective through 6/30/2027
Seasonal food facility$404Effective through 6/30/2027
Satellite / other$227Satellite Food Service all packaged $227, all unpackaged $455; Packing Shed $404; Bed & Breakfast $320. Effective through 6/30/2027
Sources: www.ochealthinfo.com · ochealthinfo.com · observed 2026-08-10