Local permits & fees

Washington County, AR — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Food Protection Program (state-administered; local county health unit accepts applications) · department site →

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

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment Permit (Restaurant)

$35.00 annual (flat)

Statewide flat annual fee set by Ark. Code 20-57-204. ADH permits and inspects food establishments in Washington County (Fayetteville); applications are submitted to the local county health department at least 30 days before opening.

Plan review — required

null - ADH requires plans be submitted 30 days prior to opening; no separate plan-review fee is published (permit is a flat $35)

Turnaround: null - plans/application due at least 30 days before opening

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Food Mobile / Push Cart permit

$35.00 annual (flat)

Mobile units and push carts pay the same $35 flat annual permit fee as fixed establishments.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

State-administered flat fee: $35 annual for essentially every retail food category statewide (Ark. Code 20-57-204).
Public schools and charter schools are $0; all other listed categories are $35.
Application (EHP-99) must be submitted with fee to the regulatory authority 30 days prior to opening.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Bakery / food processing	$35.00 annual (Retail Deli/Bakery)	Listed on the ADH retail food permit application as 'Retail Deli/Bakery.'
Grocery / market with deli	$35.00 (Food Store) + $35.00 (Retail Deli/Bakery) if a deli is operated	ADH lists 'Food Store' and 'Retail Deli/Bakery' as separate $35 categories.
Pushcart / mobile vending	$35.00 annual (Food Mobile / Push Cart)	ADH application category 'Food Mobile / Push Cart.'
Temporary / seasonal event	null - temporary/seasonal event permits are not listed on the ADH retail food permit application (EHP-99); handled separately	The standard EHP-99 categories are all flat $35 annual permits; temporary event permitting is not itemized on that form.

Arkansas 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: healthy.arkansas.gov · healthy.arkansas.gov · law.justia.com · observed 2026-08-07