foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Orleans Parish, LA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Office of Public Health - Retail Food Program (state permit, statewide statutory fees under La. R.S. 40:31.37); City of New Orleans One Stop Shop / Safety & Permits (occupational license + mayoralty food-truck permit) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

LDH Retail Food Establishment permit (state) + City of New Orleans occupational license
LDH state permit (statewide statutory schedule, La. R.S. 40:31.37, Section A): $150 for the first permit held by an operator; $112.50 each for the 2nd-5th permits; $75 each for the 6th and subsequent. Annual. Plus City of New Orleans occupational license $150.00/yr.

Louisiana retail food permits are issued/inspected by LDH statewide; the fee schedule is statutory and uniform across all parishes (confirmed identical in sibling LA records refreshed 2026-08-07). A restaurant/food service establishment is permitted under the general retail food establishment category. City of New Orleans additionally requires an occupational license and a mayoralty/business permit.

Plan review — required

$100 standard plan review / $1,000 expedited plan review (LDH, effective July 1, 2025) for new construction or substantial renovation

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

City of New Orleans Mobile Food Truck Vendor permit (mayoralty) + LDH mobile food establishment permit
City of New Orleans: $400.25/yr food truck permit + $50 application (non-refundable) + $150 occupational license + $50 sales tax deposit + $5/ID card (verified 2026-08-10). LDH state mobile food establishment permit under the standard La. R.S. 40:31.37 Section A schedule ($150 first permit).

Truck limited to 26 ft x 8 ft; must carry $500,000 general liability. LDH state approvals + NOFD fire approval required before the city permit issues. LDH does not publish a distinct 'mobile' line item; mobile units are permitted under the general per-permit schedule and require a mobile-unit plan-review questionnaire and an approved commissary/base of operations.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • State-administered: LDH Office of Public Health permits/inspects retail food statewide; there is no separate Orleans Parish health permit fee - the LDH statutory schedule (La. R.S. 40:31.37) applies.
  • Hard prohibition zone: food trucks cannot operate in the French Quarter, Central Business District, or Faubourg Marigny (2013 ordinance); also barred near schools in session and during Mardi Gras/Jazz Fest restricted areas.
  • Trucks may not remain in one location longer than 4 hours and may sell food only (no other merchandise).
  • Retail food stores/markets are charged on a separate gross-receipts tier ($75-$750); temporary/special events $25 per event; seasonal establishments $15 per month of operation.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
temporary/seasonal/special-event$25 per event (temporary/special event); $15 per month of operation (seasonal)La. R.S. 40:31.37 statutory fees, uniform statewide.
market/grocery with deliRetail food store (food sales >=60% of gross), by annual gross revenue (La. R.S. 40:31.37 Section C): <$100,000 $75.00; $100,000-$500,000 $112.50; $500,001-$1,000,000 $187.50; $1,000,001-$2,500,000 $375.00; $2,500,001-$5,000,000 $600.00; over $5,000,000 $750.00New retail store initial fee $112.50. Stores where food is <60% of gross use a separate per-permit tier (Section D).
food processing/wholesalenull - 'Retail Food Manufacturer' permit type; fee tiered by gross annual sales under La. R.S. 40:31.37; specific manufacturer tier not itemized hereConfirm classification/amount with the LDH regional sanitarian.
pushcart/limited operation$150 first permit (La. R.S. 40:31.37 Section A per-permit schedule)'Itinerant food establishment' and 'itinerant retail food store/market' permit types exist under the general per-permit schedule.
caterer$150 first permit (La. R.S. 40:31.37 Section A)No standalone caterer permit; operates as a retail food establishment under the general per-permit schedule.
Louisiana 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: nola.gov · ldh.la.gov · ldh.la.gov · law.justia.com · observed 2026-08-10