foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Rapides Parish, LA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Office of Public Health, Bureau of Sanitarian Services - STATE-administered statewide (no parish health department issues retail food permits) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment Operating Permit (LDH)
$150 for the first permit; $112.50 each for the 2nd-5th permits held by the same operator; $75 each for the 6th and beyond (statutory schedule, La. R.S. 40:31.37)

Statewide statutory fee administered by LDH; a restaurant/food service establishment is permitted under the general retail food establishment category. Source: https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/revised-statutes/title-40/rs-40-31-37/

Plan review — required

null - LDH requires plan review/approval for new construction and remodels but does not publish a separate plan-review dollar fee

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment Operating Permit (LDH)
$150 first permit ($112.50 each for 2nd-5th; $75 each thereafter), under the same La. R.S. 40:31.37 schedule

Mobile units require an LDH plan-review questionnaire and an approved base/commissary.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • STATE-administered: Louisiana retail food permits are issued and inspected by LDH statewide; Rapides Parish (Alexandria) has no separate parish permit.
  • Retail food store/market fees are tiered by annual gross revenue, ranging $75-$750 (La. R.S. 40:31.37).
  • Temporary/special events: $25 flat fee for the entire event. Seasonal establishments: $15 per month of operation (in lieu of an annual fee).
  • Some parishes add supplementary local charges on top of the state fee.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Bakery / food processing$150 first permit (Retail Food Manufacturer); $112.50 each for 2nd-5th, $75 each thereafterStatewide LDH schedule, La. R.S. 40:31.37.
Grocery / market with deli$75-$750/yr (Retail Food Store/Market, tiered by annual gross revenue)Separate tiers for stores with >=60% vs <60% food sales; La. R.S. 40:31.37.
Temporary / seasonal event$25 flat for the entire event (temporary/special event); $15 per month of operation for seasonal establishmentsSeasonal fee is charged in lieu of an annual permit fee; La. R.S. 40:31.37.
Pushcart / mobile vending$150 first permit (Mobile Food Establishment); $112.50 each for 2nd-5th, $75 each thereafterRequires an LDH plan-review questionnaire and approved commissary/base.
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: law.justia.com · ldh.la.gov · www.foodhandlersguide.com · observed 2026-08-07