Local permits & fees

York County, SC — Commercial Kitchen Permits

South Carolina Department of Agriculture - Retail Food Safety & Compliance (statewide; assumed retail food regulation from DHEC on 7/1/2024) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment (RFE) Permit
$100.00 initial permit fee (new establishment or change of ownership) PLUS an annual inspection fee based on prior-year gross food sales: $0-$250,000 = $100.00; $250,001-$500,000 = $150.00; $500,001-$750,000 = $200.00; $750,001-$1,000,000 = $250.00; $1,000,001-$1,250,000 = $300.00; $1,250,001-$1,500,000 = $350.00; $1,500,001-$1,750,000 = $400.00; $1,750,001 and above = $450.00

Statewide fee schedule under Regulation 61-25 (S.C. Code Regs. 61-25.8-304). Annual inspection fee is billed each year; gross food sales exclude alcohol and general merchandise. Late penalties: +$50 (30-59 days past due), +$100 (60+ days).

Plan review — required

null - SCDA reviews plans for new retail food establishments; no separate published plan-review fee (initial $100 permit fee applies).

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment (mobile food unit / pushcart + commissary)
$100.00 initial permit fee each, plus annual inspection fee by gross sales (same RFE schedule; minimum $100.00/year). The commissary and each mobile unit/pushcart are permitted separately.

A mobile food establishment consists of a commissary plus mobile unit(s)/pushcart(s); each is permitted separately and each pays the RFE fee schedule.

Watch out for

  • Since 7/1/2024, retail food establishment regulation in SC (including York County) is administered statewide by the SC Department of Agriculture (transferred from DHEC).
  • Fees are a uniform statewide gross-sales schedule, not set by York County.
  • Annual inspection fee minimum is $100.00; SCDA issues a grade sticker rather than a paper permit once the fee is paid.
  • Contact: [email protected] / 803-896-0640.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Grocery / market with deli$100.00 initial permit fee plus annual inspection fee by gross food sales ($100.00 minimum; same statewide RFE bracket schedule).Grocery/convenience stores that prepare or package food on-site are Retail Food Establishments under SCDA; annual fee based on gross food sales (excludes alcohol and general merchandise).
Bakery / food processing$100.00 initial permit fee plus annual inspection fee by gross food sales (same statewide RFE bracket schedule).Establishments that bottle, can, bake, or package food for direct retail sale pay based on gross sales of the packaged/prepared product.
Commissary / central preparation kitchen$100.00 initial permit fee plus annual inspection fee by gross food sales (same statewide RFE bracket schedule).A commissary is a permitted retail food establishment; permitted separately from the mobile units it supports.
Pushcart / mobile vending$100.00 initial permit fee plus annual inspection fee by gross food sales (same statewide RFE bracket schedule).Mobile food units and pushcarts are each permitted separately from the commissary under Regulation 61-25 Chapter 9-1.
Sources: agriculture.sc.gov · agriculture.sc.gov · agriculture.sc.gov · observed 2026-08-07