foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Worcester County, MA — Commercial Kitchen Permits

City of Worcester Division of Housing & Health Inspections (Department of Inspectional Services), acting as the local Board of Health. In Massachusetts food establishment permitting is MUNICIPAL - each city/town Board of Health issues permits and sets its own fees; Worcester (the county seat and largest city) is shown as representative and fees vary town to town across Worcester County. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Permit to Operate a Food Establishment (Food and Drink Establishment), by occupancy
Occupancy 0-100 $275; 101-499 $350; 500 and above $450

Annual permit, expires December 31; Worcester DIS fee schedule effective March 1, 2024. All food permits include Milk and Frozen Dessert. $200 late fee if renewed after due date. (Worcester CITY figures; other Worcester County municipalities set their own fees.)

Plan review — required

Plan Review Fee (new establishments) $200; Establishment Review (change of ownership) $85

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Vendor
$250 (a separate Commissary Kitchen permit at $150 is also required for every mobile)

Pushcarts are licensed under the mobile food vendor program; every mobile must have a commissary kitchen permit.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • Massachusetts licensing is fully municipal (local Board of Health); the same restaurant would pay a different fee in another Worcester County town - Worcester city is representative only.
  • Retail Food only $175; with Bakery $400; with Bakery and Restaurant $500; Retail Food store >10,000 sq ft $500.
  • Commissary Kitchen $150; Institutional $350; Bakery only $350.
  • Temporary Food Permit 1-15 days $60; over 15 days $195; Seasonal Concessions $75; Catered Event Registration $40.
  • Charitable/fundraising special events: 1-12 food vendors $150; 13-24 $300; 25+ $500.
Massachusetts 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.worcesterma.gov · www.worcesterma.gov · www.worcesterma.gov · observed 2026-08-07