Local permits & fees

Warren County, OH — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Warren County Health District (Environmental Health Division; county health district serving the Cincinnati/Dayton-area Warren County) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Operation (FSO) / Retail Food Establishment (RFE) license (annual, risk Level 1-4)
Commercial less than 25,000 sq ft: Level 1 $228.00, Level 2 $253.00, Level 3 $453.00, Level 4 $578.00. Commercial 25,000 sq ft or greater: Level 1 $303.00, Level 2 $328.00, Level 3 $1,128.00, Level 4 $1,203.00

Ohio-standardized risk Level 1 (lowest) through Level 4 (highest). Non-commercial establishments pay roughly 50% of the commercial rate. A 25% late fee applies to applications/payments not postmarked by March 1. Fees confirmed on the county environmental-health-fees page as of 2026-08-10.

Plan review — required

New Facility Plan Review $300.00 (mobile plan review carries no fee)

Turnaround: Warren County asks for 30 days to act on submitted plan review applications

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile FSO/RFE license (risk-based)
High-Risk Mobile FSO/RFE $178.00; Low-Risk Mobile FSO/RFE $103.00

Mobile license priced by risk; a commissary/servicing base is required under Ohio law.

Watch out for

  • Ohio state-standardized risk levels (Level 1 lowest through Level 4 highest).
  • Non-commercial (e.g., non-profit) FSO/RFE fees: less than 25,000 sq ft Level 1 $114.00, Level 2 $126.50, Level 3 $226.50, Level 4 $289.00; 25,000 sq ft or greater Level 1 $151.50, Level 2 $164.00, Level 3 $564.00, Level 4 $601.50.
  • Temporary FSO/RFE $100.00; Non-Commercial Temporary $50.00.
  • Vending FSO/RFE $17.65 per location.
  • 25% late fee for facilities that do not submit application and payment postmarked by March 1.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
CatererLicensed as an FSO at Level 4 (highest risk): commercial less than 25,000 sq ft $578.00; 25,000 sq ft or greater $1,203.00Ohio classifies catering food service operations as a Level IV activity; priced on the FSO risk schedule.
Bakery / food processingnull - wholesale operations and home bakeries are licensed by the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture, not the county. A retail bakery is licensed as an RFE on the risk schedule (commercial less than 25,000 sq ft Level 1 $228.00 up to Level 4 $578.00).Ohio splits wholesale/home bakery (ODA) from retail bakery (RFE).
Grocery / market with deliRetail Food Establishment (RFE) on the same risk schedule as restaurants: commercial less than 25,000 sq ft $228.00 (Level 1), $253.00 (Level 2), $453.00 (Level 3), $578.00 (Level 4); 25,000 sq ft or greater $303.00-$1,203.00 by levelOhio licenses grocery/markets as RFE; a deli/prep area raises the risk level.
Temporary / seasonal event$100.00 (Temporary FSO/RFE); $50.00 (Non-Commercial Temporary)Flat temporary FSO/RFE license fees; non-commercial pays half.
Pushcart / mobile vendingHigh-Risk Mobile FSO/RFE $178.00; Low-Risk Mobile $103.00. Vending $17.65 per location.Mobile license priced by risk; a commissary/servicing base is required. Vending is a separate line.
Sources: warrencohealthoh.gov · warrencohealthoh.gov · warrencohealthoh.gov · observed 2026-08-10