foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Pulaski County, AR — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) - Food Protection; local Pulaski County Health Unit (state-administered) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Establishment Permit (state, ADH)
$35 per year (flat, set by Ark. Code Ann. 20-57-204)

State-administered; a single statutory flat annual permit fee applies to all food service establishments statewide regardless of size or type (one of the lowest in the U.S.). Not tiered by seating/sales.

Plan review — required

1% of total estimated construction cost, minimum $50, maximum $500 (one-time, first year only)

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit (food service establishment permit)
$35 per year (same statutory flat food service establishment fee)

Commissary/base of operations required; plan review (1% of cost, $50-$500) applies to units that prepare food. Contact the Pulaski County Health Unit to apply.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • State-administered by ADH: a flat $35/yr permit covers all food service establishments statewide (no size/type tiers).
  • One-time plan review fee = 1% of estimated cost, min $50 / max $500, billed the first year alongside the $35 permit.
  • Temporary food establishment permit is $5 per day, up to 14 consecutive days per event.
  • Apply through your local County Health Unit (Pulaski County Health Unit, Little Rock/North Little Rock).

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Temporary / seasonal event$5 per day (temporary food establishment, up to 14 consecutive days per event; max ~$70)State ADH fee; apply through the Pulaski County Health Unit. All other categories (restaurant, bar, grocery, bakery, caterer, mobile) use the single statutory $35/yr food service establishment permit - Arkansas does not break out category-specific fees.
Arkansas 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: healthy.arkansas.gov · healthy.arkansas.gov · law.justia.com · observed 2026-08-07