Local permits & fees

Riverside County, CA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Riverside County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Facility Permit to Operate

Annual (Ord. 640/492 fee schedule, FY25/26 eff. 6/18/2025), by size and food handling. Food prep (unpackaged): 1-2,000 sqft $794; 2,001-5,999 sqft $1,176; >=6,000 sqft $1,682. Prepackaged: 25-300 sqft non-PHF $280; 1-2,000 sqft $607; 2,001-5,999 $910; >=6,000 $1,307. Restricted food service $444; non-storefront caterer $588; host facility $398; school simple prep $519 / complex prep $1,034; micro market $246.

Fees enabled by Ord. 492 (food) and set annually via Ord. 640 Attachment A adopted by the Board of Supervisors. Permit valid one year from issuance (expires last day of issuance month). Verified from Ordinance 640.15 fee schedule PDF.

Plan review — required

Plan check (deposit), by size. Unpackaged: 1-200 sqft $995; 201-1,499 $1,592; 1,500-2,999 $2,189; 3,000-5,999 $2,388; 6,000-9,999 $2,786; >=10,000 $3,184. Prepackaged: 1-200 $597; 201-1,499 $796; 1,500-2,999 $995; 3,000-5,999 $1,194; 6,000-9,999 $1,393; >=10,000 $1,592. FF remodel minor $498 / moderate $796.

Turnaround: Not published on plan-check page; plan approval must be obtained before constructing or remodeling. Plans discarded if not picked up within 60 days of approval/denial.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Facility (MFF) Permit

Annual (Ord. 580, FY25/26): Truck low risk $463 / med risk $665; truck/trailer high risk $813; cart/trailer low $185 / med $210; mobile support unit (MSU)/ancillary $660. Plan check (deposit): MFF truck/trailer high risk $796; truck med risk $746; cart/trailer med risk $697; MSU $199/hr.

MFF permit valid until Dec 31 of the calendar year issued. Commissary agreement required; DEH does plan check and inspection of all new/remodeled trucks and carts.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

Utility 'will-serve' clearance letters (water, sewer, and industrial waste/grease-interceptor) must be secured before approved plans are released.
AB 671 sidewalk/street food-vending compliance is addressed via a dedicated DEH FAQ on the plan-check page.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
caterer	$588	Caterer (Non-Storefront) $588. Artisan (Non-Storefront; limited foods from kitchen w/ agreement letter) $299
commissary/central kitchen	$649	Commissary $649. Host Facility $398
bar/tavern	$763	Bar tiered by risk (Tier 1/2/3): $763 / $1,045 / $1,455
market/grocery with deli	$714	Food Market tiered by risk (Tier 1/2/3): $714 / $1,076 / $1,498. Micro Market $246
temporary/seasonal/special-event	$156	Non-Profit Seasonal Snack Bar $156; Holiday Operation (30-45 days) $132; Certified Farmers Market $522. Community-event vendor booth: Food Booth $108 (occasional) / $223 (temporary); 100% Prepackaged Food Booth $68 / $121
pushcart/limited operation	$256	100% Pre-Packaged Non-PHF <300 sq ft $256; Additional Food Operations within a facility $212; Produce Stand $389; Farm Stand $291; 100% Pre-Packaged (tiered) $572/$861/$1,197

California 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: rivcoeh.org · rivcocob.org · rivcoeh.org · observed 2026-08-06