foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Pitt County, NC — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Pitt County Environmental Health (operating under NC DHHS Div. of Public Health rules, 15A NCAC 18A .2600) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Establishment Permit
$120/yr (state statutory fee, G.S. 130A-248, reassessed annually; permit does not expire while operating). Limited food service establishment: $75/yr.

Fee is set by NC statute, not the county. Late payment fee $25; reinstatement fee $150.

Plan review — required

$200 per facility (Pitt County, for new facilities or change of use). State cap: a local health dept may charge up to $250.

Turnaround: Plans reviewed within ~2 weeks of receipt; application must be submitted 30 days before opening/change of ownership

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit / Push Cart permit (food establishment permit)
$120/yr (permitted as a food establishment under G.S. 130A-248)

Requires a permitted commissary; applications via the county permitting portal.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • NC plan-review-fee model: local plan-review fee ($200 in Pitt) plus a statewide $120 annual food-establishment permit fee.
  • State (Dept.) may charge $250 for plan review of prototype franchised/chain facilities.
  • Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) applications go through the portal, due 15 days before the event; TFE fee not published in reviewed county sources.
  • Up to $50 of each $120 permit fee is retained by the state.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Bar / limited food service$75/yr (limited food service establishment, state fee G.S. 130A-248)Limited food service is a distinct statutory permit class.
Commissary / central preparation kitchen$120/yr (permitted as a food establishment, G.S. 130A-248)Standard food-establishment annual permit fee applies.
Pushcart / mobile vending$120/yr (mobile food unit / push cart, food establishment permit)Requires a permitted commissary.
Temporary / seasonal eventnull - Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) fee not published in reviewed county sources; applications due 15 days before the event via the county portalRegulated under 15A NCAC 18A .2600.
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.ncleg.gov · webservices.ncleg.gov · www.pittcountync.gov · www.pittcountync.gov · observed 2026-08-07