Local permits & fees

Ulster County, NY — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Ulster County Department of Health - Environmental Health Services Division · department site →

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

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Establishment permit (by seating capacity)

0-25 seats $100; 26-75 seats $225; 76+ seats $300

Annual permit under NY State Sanitary Code Subpart 14-1, administered locally by Ulster County DOH. Water sample fee $40 when required; returned-check fee $20; late fee $75 for incomplete/returned applications. All fees non-refundable. (Figures from 2026 food-service cover letter.)

Plan review — required

null - a pre-operational review/inspection is required for new establishments but no separate flat plan-review dollar figure is published in the cover-letter fee list

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Service Unit / Pushcart permit

null - no separate mobile-unit dollar figure is published; mobile units and pushcarts are permitted as food service establishments (commissary agreement required) and would fall under the FSE seating schedule (a no-seat/0-25-seat unit maps to the $100 tier)

Mobile units and pushcarts require a commissary agreement; applications processed via the Environmental Health Services Division. Confirm exact mobile fee with DOH (845-340-3010).

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

Administered by Ulster County DOH under the New York State Sanitary Code (NYSDOH district program).
Fees vary by seating capacity, not menu risk.
Catering/Commissary $200; Vending operations $50 (0-25 seats) / $100 (26+); frozen dessert machine $25.
Temporary Food Service permit $50 (for-profit), waived ($0) for not-for-profits with proof of status; $25 administrative late fee.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Caterer	$200	Catering and commissary share a single $200 permit category.
Commissary / central preparation kitchen	$200	Same 'Catering/Commissary' category as caterer.
Temporary / seasonal event	$50 (for-profit); $0 (not-for-profit with proof of status)	$25 administrative late fee if application not received 5 business days prior; frozen dessert machines $25.
Pushcart / mobile vending	null - mobile units and pushcarts are permitted as food service establishments (commissary agreement required); no separate mobile-unit dollar figure is published	Would map to the FSE seating schedule (0-25 seats = $100). Confirm with Ulster County DOH.

New York 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.ulstercountyny.gov · www.ulstercountyny.gov · www.ulstercountyny.gov · observed 2026-08-07