Local permits & fees

Vanderburgh County, IN — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Vanderburgh County Health Department (VCHD), Environmental Division. Food permit fees set by county ordinance (Vanderburgh County Code Ch. 2.41, Board of Health Food Permits). 420 Mulberry St, Evansville, IN 47713; (812) 435-2400. · department site →

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

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Establishment food permit (annual, tiered by number of employees)

Per Ch. 2.41 (rates escalate by year; 2026 shown first, then 2027): 1-10 employees $125.00 (2027 $150.00); 11-25 employees $175.00 (2027 $200.00); 26-50 employees $300.00 (2027 $400.00); 51+ employees $400.00 (2027 $500.00). (Original 2025 base rates were $100 / $150 / $200 / $250.)

Vanderburgh County codifies a multi-year fee step-up in ordinance Ch. 2.41. 2026 figures shown as current (observed 2026-08-07); confirm against VCHD's current-year application.

Plan review — required

null - Vanderburgh County food permit ordinance (Ch. 2.41) does not specify a plan review fee, and VCHD does not publish a separate plan-review fee amount online. Plan review is conducted for new/remodeled establishments per Indiana rule.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Service permit (Mobile Food Unit)

Mobile Food Service $100.00 per year; $75.00 if issued after June 30 (mid-year, half-year rate).

Applicants must review the Mobile Food Unit Information Packet and submit Appendices C and D before applying.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

Grocery/markets are licensed separately as 'Food Market Establishments' by square footage (2026): under 3,000 sq ft $200.00; 3,000-6,000 $300.00; 6,001-10,000 $400.00; 10,001+ $500.00 (2027 rates $300/$400/$500/$600).
Temporary food service $10.00 per day, maximum $30.00 for three or more days.
Vending machines $5.00 per machine.
All fees are set by county ordinance (Ch. 2.41) rather than a downloadable fee schedule.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Grocery / market with deli	Food Market Establishment (annual, by square footage; 2026 / 2027): under 3,000 sq ft $200.00 / $300.00; 3,000-6,000 sq ft $300.00 / $400.00; 6,001-10,000 sq ft $400.00 / $500.00; 10,001+ sq ft $500.00 / $600.00 (2025 base was $100/$150/$200/$250)	Set by Vanderburgh County Code Ch. 2.41.
Temporary / seasonal event	$10.00 per day, maximum $30.00 for three or more days	Per Ch. 2.41.
Pushcart / mobile vending	Mobile Food Service $100.00 per year ($75.00 if issued after June 30); Vending machines $5.00 per machine	Per Ch. 2.41; Mobile Food Unit Information Packet (Appendices C and D) required before applying.

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.codepublishing.com · vanderburghhealth.org · vanderburghhealth.org · vanderburghhealth.org · observed 2026-08-07