Local permits & fees

Washington County, TN — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Tennessee Dept. of Health (state-administered), Washington County Health Department - Food & General Sanitation · department site →

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

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Establishment Permit

$210/yr for 0-50 seats; $360/yr for 51 or more seats

Statewide fees set by T.C.A. 68-14-713 (Tennessee Food Safety Act). Delinquency over 30 days adds a penalty of one-half the permit fee. Source: https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2021/title-68/chapter-14/part-7/section-68-14-713/

Plan review — required

null - Tennessee does not charge a separate plan review fee; plan review is part of the state permitting process

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile food service establishment (permitted as a food service establishment)

$210/yr (permitted under the 0-50 seat food service establishment tier)

The City of Johnson City separately charges a $200 municipal Mobile Food Vendor permit, which is distinct from the state health permit.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

State-administered: permits issued and inspected by the Tennessee Dept. of Health under state standards; fees are statutory statewide.
Fee tiers per T.C.A. 68-14-713: auxiliary food service $100; temporary $30; school food service $80; farmers market food unit $300; child care/congregate meal sites $50 (0-50 seats) / $80 (51+).
Office: 219 Princeton Road, Johnson City, TN 37601; (423) 975-2200.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Bar / limited food service	$100/yr (Auxiliary food service operation)	Statutory fee per T.C.A. 68-14-713.
Temporary / seasonal event	$30 (Temporary food service establishment)	Statutory fee per T.C.A. 68-14-713.
Pushcart / mobile vending	$210/yr (permitted as a food service establishment, 0-50 seat tier)	City of Johnson City charges a separate $200 municipal mobile vendor permit.

Tennessee 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: law.justia.com · www.tn.gov · www.washingtoncountytn.org · observed 2026-08-07