Local permits & fees

San Joaquin County, CA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department (EHD) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Restaurant/Bar Food Facility Annual Permit
$364 (Restaurant/Bar 1-20 seats)

By seating: 1-20 seats $364; 21-50 $373; 51-100 $394; 101+ $443. Bar without food prep $304. Amounts are from the published FY2021-22 EHD fee schedule (most recent PDF located); confirm current-year figures with EHD as they may have since been adjusted.

Plan review — required

Food Plan Check $537 (3-hour minimum); additional time billed hourly ($179/hr)

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Facility Permit
$197 (Food Vehicle/Cart, limited food preparation)

Food Vehicle/Cart limited food prep $197; Food Vehicle/Cart prepackaged only $125; Mobile Food Preparation Unit (MFPU) $270; Limited Food Vehicle (produce/fish) $125. FY2021-22 schedule figures.

Watch out for

  • EHD reviews and approves construction plans for new and remodeled food facilities before permitting.
  • SB 972 (effective 1/1/2023) added the Compact Mobile Food Operation category to the state Retail Food Code, which the county now permits.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
commissary/shared/central kitchen$358Commissary (MFPU & Food Prep) PE 1680 $358; Commissary (Vehicle/Cart) PE 1681 $248. Effective July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.
bar/tavern$304Bar without Food Preparation (PE 1621) $304. Restaurant/Bar with seats billed under Restaurant/Bar 1-20 seats $364, etc.
market/grocery with deli$537Retail Market >1000 ft2 (Two or more preparation Departments) PE 1619 $537; >1000 ft2 one prep dept (1617) $341; <1000 ft2 one prep dept (1616) $268; 301-2000 ft2 prepackaged only (1615) $306. Deli = a preparation department.
temporary/seasonal/special-event$179Temporary Event (PE 1695) $179; Temporary Food Site/Stationary MFPU (1697) $179; Temporary Incidental Food (1699) $90; Temporary Event Vendor fee included in event fee.
pushcart/limited or low-risk operation$197Food Vehicle Cart, limited food prep (PE 1633) $197; Food Vehicle/Cart prepackaged only (1634) $125; Satellite Food Distribution Facility (1690) $119; Produce Stand roadside (1607) $224.
catererNo distinct caterer permit line; catering typically permitted via Commissary/Mobile Food categories.
bakeryNo distinct bakery category; permitted under Food Establishment (by sq ft/seating) tiers.
food processing/wholesaleNo retail food processing/wholesale permit in EHD food program (dairy processors handled under separate Dairy Program).
Sources: www.sjgov.org · permits.sjgov.org · www.sjgov.org · observed 2026-08-07