Arlington County Public Health Division, Environmental Health Bureau (operated in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Health) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Arlington County food-facility health permits run about $40 annually. Plan review runs about $40. Confirm the exact amount with Arlington County Public Health Division, Environmental Health Bureau (operated in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Health) 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 Arlington County Public Health Division, Environmental Health Bureau (operated in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Health) issues the health permit.
About 617 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 234,162. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Last verified: 2026-08-17 — 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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
AUTHORITY: Arlington runs its own local public health division; food establishment permits use Virginia's flat statewide $40 fee; Checks payable to 'Treasurer, Arlington County.' Effective July 1, 2026: $50 late-renewal fee and $100 re-inspection fee (for establishments that fail their pre-opening inspection)
Plan review — required
$40 plan review (e.g., change of ownership, or DCA/Reagan National Airport establishments paid directly to the Environmental Health Program)
standard new/remodel plan review is filed via the Permit Arlington customer portal
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Arlington County’s permit cost compares
At about $40/year, Arlington County’s restaurant health permit is about the Virginia median ($40) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 15% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 8th-lowest of 133 Virginia 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 617 food & drinking establishments serve ~234,162 residents in Arlington County — one per ~380 residents, denser than the Virginia average (one per ~630).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$40 annual health permit + $40 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.
Watch out for
Virginia uses a FLAT statewide food establishment permit fee of $40 (plus $40 plan review); Arlington operates its own local public health division under a cooperative agreement with VDH
Checks payable to Treasurer, Arlington County
Temporary Food Establishment license $40
Effective July 1, 2026: $50 late-renewal fee; $100 re-inspection fee for failed pre-opening inspection
Virginia does not fee-differentiate by establishment type; mobile units require an approved commissary
Equipment your Arlington 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.
$40 (annual); source https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Health/Food-Establishment-Licenses These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Arlington County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $40 plan review (e.g., change of ownership, or DCA/Reagan National Airport establishments paid directly to the Environmental Health Program); standard new/remodel plan review is filed via the Permit Arlington customer portal; source https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/foodapplication/
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Arlington County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Virginia does not fee-differentiate by establishment type; mobile units pay the flat $40 permit and require an approved commissary/servicing area
Who issues food permits in Arlington County?
Food permits here are issued by Arlington County Public Health Division, Environmental Health Bureau (operated in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Health). 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.
Published by Resultex Media Group LLC · Independent & vendor-neutral · Educational only, not legal or engineering advice · Last verified September 2026