foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Washington County, UT — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Establishment Permit (by risk category)
$220 (Risk Cat 1), $325 (Risk Cat 2), $450 (Risk Cat 3), $660 (Risk Cat 4) per year

Annual permit priced by food-safety risk category. Fee schedule effective May 1, 2026. A $220 Conditional Permit is also available. Food Handler card $25 (valid 3 yrs).

Plan review — required

$400 (Risk Cat 1 or 2); $660 (Risk Cat 3 or 4)

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment (Primary) Permit
$350 (Tier 1) or $500 (Tier 2) per year; plus $380 mobile plan review

Tier reflects menu complexity/risk. St. George/Washington County food-truck line (435) 986-2584.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • Full published fee schedule effective May 1, 2026 (swuhealth.gov/fees).
  • SWUPHD serves five SW Utah counties incl. Washington County (St. George); office at 620 S 400 E, St. George.
  • Institution permit $190; School Kitchen $270; Home Daycare (limited inspection) $130.
  • Utah state rule caps the food-handler permit fee at $15 to a local health dept, but SWUPHD's food-handler CARD/training is $25 (valid 3 years).

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Temporary / seasonal event$60 (single event, Risk/Tier 1) or $85 (single event, Risk/Tier 2), each +$25 if issued on-site; $125 (seasonal 6-month, Tier 1) or $180 (seasonal 6-month, Tier 2)SWUPHD fee schedule effective May 1, 2026.
Pushcart / mobile vending$350 (Mobile Primary, Tier 1) or $500 (Mobile Primary, Tier 2) per year; plus $380 mobile plan reviewTier reflects menu/risk complexity.
Utah 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: swuhealth.gov · swuhealth.gov · observed 2026-08-07