Local permits & fees

Schenectady County, NY — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Schenectady County Public Health Services - Environmental Health (NYS Sanitary Code Part 14) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Permit to Operate a Food Service Establishment
$215 per year (food service establishment with seating capacity of 100 or less)

Fee increases for seating capacity over 100 or if the operation has a frozen dessert machine. Permits issued under NYS Sanitary Code Part 14 (Subpart 14-1).

Plan review — required

null - plan review is required for new or extensively remodeled food service establishments, but Schenectady County does not publish a separate plan-review fee amount online.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Service Establishment Permit
$190 per year

Requires a Mobile Food Service Plan Review and Permit packet; commissary documentation typically required.

Watch out for

  • Schenectady County Public Health Services administers NYS Sanitary Code Part 14 for food service establishments locally.
  • Most food service permits are $215/yr; catering and commissary permits are $365/yr; mobile permits $190/yr; frozen-dessert permit $65/yr.
  • Frozen-dessert machines also carry a $25 state permit fee under Public Health Law 225(5)(s), collected with other food permit fees.
  • Retail food stores/markets (grocery) are licensed by the NY State Dept. of Agriculture & Markets, not the county health department.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterer$365 per yearCatering permit under NYS Sanitary Code Part 14.
Commissary / central preparation kitchen$365 per yearCommissary permitted at the same rate as catering.
Bar / limited food servicenull - a bar/tavern serving food is permitted as a food service establishment (typically $215/yr if seating <=100); Schenectady does not publish a distinct bar/limited-service fee.Frozen-dessert machine, if present, adds a $25 state fee (PHL 225(5)(s)).
Grocery / market with delinull - retail food stores/markets (grocery) are licensed by the NY State Dept. of Agriculture & Markets, not Schenectady County; an on-site food-service deli would be a county food-service permit ($215/yr, <=100 seats).Jurisdiction split between Ag & Markets (retail food store) and county health (food service).
Pushcart / mobile vending$190 per yearMobile food service establishment permit; requires mobile plan review packet.
Sources: www.schenectadycountyny.gov · www.schenectadycountyny.gov · www.schenectadycountyny.gov · www.health.ny.gov · observed 2026-08-07