foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

St. Joseph County, IN — Commercial Kitchen Permits

St. Joseph County Department of Health, Food Services Unit (countywide authority serving South Bend) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service / Store Establishment Permit (annual, by gross sales)
$0-$49,999.99 $85.00; $50,000-$149,999.99 $115.00; $150,000-$249,999.99 $145.00; $250,000-$499,999.99 $175.00; $500,000-$749,999.99 $225.00; $750,000-$999,999.99 $275.00; $1,000,000-$1,249,999.99 $350.00; $1,250,000-$1,499,999.99 $375.00; $1,500,000 and up $425.00. Plus a separate $85.00 Administration/Application fee.

Fee schedule effective Nov 1, 2025 (food portion March 1, 2026). The same gross-sales permit covers both restaurants (food service) and grocery/markets (store). Renewal date Jan 31; late fee = 100% cost of permit. $35.00 per additional consultation/inspection visit.

Plan review — required

Plan & Review by floor area (does not include Administration/Application fee or annual permit fee): under 3,000 sq ft $100.00; 3,001-30,000 $180.00; 30,001-40,000 $260.00; 40,001-60,000 $340.00; 60,001 sq ft and over $400.00

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment permit (per unit)
Pre-Packaged Items $100.00/unit; Dispensing & Food Prep in Unit (e.g., Taco, BBQ) $200.00/unit; Seasonal Mobile Push Carts (hot dog, ice cream) $100.00/unit

Mobile permits priced per unit by activity; Indiana requires a commissary/base of operations under 410 IAC 7-24.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • A separate $85.00 Administration/Application fee is charged in addition to the annual permit fee.
  • Temporary permit: 1 day $35.00; 2-3 day $75.00; 4-10 day $150.00; Annual $375.00/year.
  • Vending: $15.00 per machine.
  • Fee schedule effective Nov 1, 2025 (food establishment portion effective March 1, 2026); permit fees codified in County Code Appendix SC (Food Inspection and Establishment Fees).
  • $200.00 probationary fee when an establishment is placed on probationary status.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Grocery / market with deliSame Food Service/Store Establishment Permit as restaurants, by gross sales: $85.00 ($0-$49,999.99) up to $425.00 ($1,500,000 and up), plus a $85.00 Administration/Application feeIndiana prices restaurants and grocery/markets on one gross-sales permit schedule; a deli/prep area does not create a separate license tier.
Temporary / seasonal event1 day $35.00; 2-3 day $75.00; 4-10 day $150.00; Annual $375.00/yearTemporary Permit fees; late fee = 100% cost of permit.
Pushcart / mobile vendingMobile Food Establishment: Pre-Packaged Items $100.00/unit; Dispensing & Food Prep in Unit (Taco, BBQ) $200.00/unit; Seasonal Mobile Push Carts (hot dog, ice cream) $100.00/unit. Vending $15.00/machine.Priced per unit by activity; Indiana requires a commissary/base of operations under 410 IAC 7-24.
Indiana 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: www.in.gov · library.municode.com · www.in.gov · observed 2026-08-07