Local permits & fees

Santa Barbara County, CA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Services · department site →

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

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Facility Annual Health Permit (by square footage)

$391 (<500 sq ft); $556 (501-1,500); $842 (1,501-3,000); $922 (3,001-10,000); $1,017 (>10,000); Low Risk $244

Annual permit by square footage. Verified against official EHS Fee Schedule. Microenterprise Home Kitchen (MEHKO) $391; School Dining Facility $585; Vending machine w/ TCS food $75.

Plan review — required

Plan Review application fee $255 plus $161/hr

Turnaround: 20 business days for initial review of plans

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Facility (MFF)

$310 MFF & Mobile Support Unit; $157 low risk; $468 preparation unit

Annual. Uses forms 16-1a (MFF Permit Application) and 16-1b (MFF Plan Check). Requires commissary; annual decal renewal inspection.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

Plans may be submitted electronically or at an EHS office; annual/hourly invoices due within 30 days.
Offices in Santa Barbara (805-681-4900) and Santa Maria (805-346-8460).

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
temporary/seasonal/special-event	$100-$761	TFF Booth one-time $196 (Low Risk $100); recurring $383 (Low Risk $190); Event Coordinator Tier 1 (2-6) $384, Tier 2 (7+) $761
pushcart/limited or low-risk operation	$244	Retail Food Facility Annual Health Permit: Low Risk $244; MFF Low Risk $157. Satellite Dining Facility $410; MEHKO $391

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: content.civicplus.com · www.countyofsb.org · ftp.sbcphd.org · observed 2026-08-10