Local permits & fees

Stanislaus County, CA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Stanislaus County Department of Environmental Resources (DER) - Environmental Health · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Facility Annual Permit
$647 (Category 2A: 0-2,000 sq ft or 0-20 seats)

Category 2 (moderate) by size/seating: 2A 0-2,000 sq ft/0-20 seats $647; 2B 2,001-6,000/21-50 $660; 2C 6,001-15,000/51-100 $720; 2D 15,000+/101+ $725 (drive-thru/take-out variants 2E $689 / 2F $696). Higher-risk Category 1: 1A $883 up to 1D $973. Category 3 (lowest risk) $471. Reduced Fee Incentive Program rates available (~25% lower).

Plan review — required

Plan Check billed at Weighted Labor Rate $137/hr, 6-hour minimum (~$822); minor remodel <25% food-service area 2-hour minimum

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Vendor / Mobile Food Facility Permit
$548 (Mobile Food Vendor Category 1)

Mobile Food Vendor Category 1 $548; Cat 2 $411; Cat 3 $274; Cat 4 $69 (additional concurrent cart $35). Compact Mobile Food Operation re-inspections escalate ($100 / $200 / $500). County Fair concession stand/truck $93.

Watch out for

  • Reduced Fee Incentive Program gives lower annual permit fees to facilities with strong inspection compliance.
  • Plan check and many services are billed at a Weighted Labor Rate (WLR, ~$137/hr) with an hour minimum rather than a flat fee.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
caterer$471Food Facility Category 1 Caterer Using Rental Kitchen $471; Category 2 Caterer Using Rental Kitchen $412. Fees effective 08/26/25.
commissary/shared/central kitchen$647Host Facility $647; Food Facility Category 1 Rental Kitchen $471. Compact Mobile Food Operation commissary/storage verification billed at Weighted Labor Rate ($137/hr, 1-hr min).
temporary/seasonal/special-event$353Food Facility Category 3 Seasonal $353; County Fair Concession Stand/Truck $93; Temp Food Facilities (1-2) billed at WLR $137/hr (1-hr min), scaling with number of booths.
pushcart/limited or low-risk operation$112Food Facility Prepackage Non-Potentially Hazardous Food $112; Produce Stand $112; Satellite Food Distribution Facility (Kiosk) $225; Swap Meet Prepackaged Food Stand single site $56; Food Facility Category 3 (low-risk) $471.
market/grocery with deliNo market-specific line; retail markets permitted under general Food Facility Category tiers by sq ft/seats (Cat 1 high-risk, Cat 3 low-risk/prepackaged).
bakeryNo distinct bakery category; permitted under Food Facility Category tiers.
bar/tavernNo distinct bar line; bars fall under Food Facility Category tiers by seating.
food processing/wholesaleNo retail food processing/wholesale food permit (Food Processing By-Product handled under Solid Waste Program).
Sources: www.stancounty.com · www.stancounty.com · www.stancounty.com · observed 2026-08-07