Local permits & fees

San Mateo County, CA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

San Mateo County Health - Environmental Health Services (EHS) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Facility Health Permit (annual)
$1,460 (Risk Category 2, 0-50 seats)

Risk-tiered, effective 1/1/2026. Cat 1 (coffee house/bar/minimal handling) $820; Cat 2 food prep 0-50 seats $1,460 / 51+ seats $2,044; Cat 3 food prep 0-50 seats $2,594 / 51+ seats $2,788. New fee schedule Board-approved 12/10/2024, phased in.

Plan review — required

Minor $1,922; Major <2,000 sq ft $2,536; Major >2,000 sq ft $3,798

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Facility (MFF) Permit
$1,804 (Risk Cat 2, full preparation unit)

Risk Cat 1 pre-packaged cart $439 / pre-packaged truck $489; Risk Cat 2 limited preparation unit $1,174 / full preparation unit $1,804. Fees effective 1/1/2026.

Watch out for

  • Fees are structured by a 3-tier Risk Category system (minimal handling vs food prep) plus seating count.
  • Plan-check drop-in consultation at 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 100, San Mateo is by appointment only (Mon-Thu).

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
caterer$1,539Caterer or Rental Kitchen Operator at Permitted Facility (Risk Category 2) $1,539; Catering Operation at Host Facility $259. Fee schedule effective Jan 1, 2026.
commissary/shared/central kitchen$2,555Commissary (Risk Category 3) $2,555.
bar/tavern$820Coffee House / Bar / Minimal Handling (Risk Category 1) $820.
market/grocery with deli$1,397Market under 2,000 sq ft: Risk Cat 1 $603 / Cat 2 $1,397 / Cat 3 $1,869. Over 2,000 sq ft: Cat 1 $698 / Cat 2 $1,607 / Cat 3 $1,968. Deli handling raises risk category.
temporary/seasonal/special-event$328Temp Event Coordinator (1-19 booths) $328; Temp Event Vendor with prep $213-$263.
pushcart/limited or low-risk operationLow-risk handled via Risk Category 1 tiers; no separate pushcart line published in fetched schedule.
bakeryNot published as a distinct category; risk-category-based permitting applies.
food processing/wholesaleNot published as a distinct retail category in the Environmental Health Services fee schedule.
Sources: www.smchealth.org · www.smchealth.org · www.smchealth.org · observed 2026-08-07