Local permits & fees

Allen County, OH Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

Allen County Public Health (Allen County Combined Health District) · department site →

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

Allen County food-facility health permits run about $133–$1,115 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $100–$175. Confirm the exact amount with Allen County Public Health (Allen County Combined Health District) before you budget.

Confirm the authority for your exact address. Some cities run their own health division, and building, planning, fire, sewer/grease and business-license approvals are separate even when Allen County Public Health (Allen County Combined Health District) issues the health permit.

About 202 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 100,838. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)

Last verified: 2026-08-18 — we re-confirmed the serving authority, its contact, and that the fees below match the current published schedule. Fee schedules may carry an earlier effective date (shown per fee); local ordinances & amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date? Report an update →

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Operation License

$133
$493 (<
25,000 sq ft, Risk 1-4)
$226
$1,115 (>
25,000 sq ft)

FSO/RFE license fees as published; <25,000 sq ft: Risk 1 $133, 2 $159, 3 $373, 4 $493. >25,000 sq ft: Risk 1 $226, 2 $241, 3 $1,048, 4 $1,115. (Ohio $28 state surcharge may apply on top.)

Plan review — required

$100 (Risk 1-2) / $175 (Risk 3-4)

Reach the department

Phone419-228-4457

Emailacph@allenhealthdept.org

Office219 E Market Street, Lima, OH 45801

Websitewww.allencountypublichealth.org →

Inspection grading

How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Service Operation License

$125.00

How to apply

See the department site above.

Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.

How Allen County’s permit cost compares

At about $133/year, Allen County’s restaurant health permit is above the Ohio median ($28) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 60% of U.S. counties.

Ranked 43rd-lowest of 54 Ohio counties by permit cost.

Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.

Local food-service market

About 202 food & drinking establishments serve ~100,838 residents in Allen County — one per ~499 residents, denser than the Ohio average (one per ~574).

U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).

Budget the permit stack

Start with ~$133 annual health permit + $100 plan review.

Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.

Equipment your Allen County plan review will check

Health-department plan review looks for specific, code-compliant fixtures. Compare spec-filtered options, then confirm counts and sizes with your local requirements. See the full list in what equipment a commercial kitchen requires.

Compartment sinks

3-bay wash / rinse / sanitize — sized to your menu

Hand sinks

required in prep, cook & warewashing areas

Grease traps / interceptors

sized by drainage fixture units

Reach-in refrigeration

cold-holding at 41°F or below

Work tables & surfaces

NSF-listed, non-absorbent

Hoods & ventilation

over cooking equipment; make-up air

Dishwashers

high-temp or chemical sanitizing

Nearby counties

Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Allen County with its neighbors.

Auglaize County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Hancock County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

Hardin County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

Putnam County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Van Wert County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

How to open: typical permitting sequence

This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.

Confirm whether Allen County or another local jurisdiction (city/district) handles your exact address.
Confirm zoning and permitted use.
Prepare your menu and scaled plans.
Include an equipment schedule with ANSI/NSF spec sheets.
Submit water-heater and hood documentation.
Pay plan-review fees.
Respond to plan-check corrections.
Obtain Environmental Health plan approval.
Obtain building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals.
Schedule rough-plumbing, pre-final and final health inspections.
Pay the operating-permit / application fees.
Receive approval before storing or preparing food.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a food permit in Allen County?

$133; $493 (<25,000 sq ft, Risk 1-4); $226; $1,115 (>25,000 sq ft) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in Allen County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $100 (Risk 1-2) / $175 (Risk 3-4)

Who issues food permits in Allen County?

Food permits here are issued by Allen County Public Health (Allen County Combined Health District). See the department site for current details.

Are city building and fire approvals separate?

Yes — building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals are always separate from the health permit and are often handled by different offices.

Ohio 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: allencountypublichealth.org · www.allencountypublichealth.org · observed 2026-08-21