Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Food Protection Program (food establishments in Arkansas are permitted and inspected by the STATE ADH through its local/county health units; Benton County has no independent county food-permit authority) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Benton County food-facility health permits run about $35 annually. Plan review runs about $50–$500. Confirm the exact amount with Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Food Protection Program (food establishments in Arkansas are permitted and inspected by the STATE ADH through its local/county health units; Benton County has no independent county food-permit authority) 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 Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Food Protection Program (food establishments in Arkansas are permitted and inspected by the STATE ADH through its local/county health units; Benton County has no independent county food-permit authority) issues the health permit.
About 516 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 311,013. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
Restaurant / food-facility permit
Retail Food Establishment Permit
$35.00 annual permit fee (flat statewide)
applies to Restaurant, Food Store, Kiosk, Retail Deli/Bakery, Food Mobile, Daycare, Private School, Private Contractor (Schools) and Summer Feeding/Afterschool
Flat $35/year regardless of size or type per A.C.A; 20-57-204. Late fee = one-half the renewal fee if paid 60+ days after expiration; Establishments are billed annually once open
Plan review — required
1% of the total estimated construction cost, not less than $50 and not to exceed $500
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Benton County’s permit cost compares
At about $35/year, Benton County’s restaurant health permit is about the Arkansas median ($35) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 7% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 4th-lowest of 75 Arkansas 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 516 food & drinking establishments serve ~311,013 residents in Benton County — one per ~603 residents, denser than the Arkansas average (one per ~703).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$35 annual health permit + $50 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
Arkansas food establishments are permitted and inspected by the STATE (ADH) through its local health units; Benton County (Bentonville/Rogers) has no separate county food permit or fee
A single FLAT $35 annual permit fee applies to virtually every retail food category (restaurant, food store, deli/bakery, mobile, kiosk, daycare); public/charter schools are $0
Plan review for new or remodeled facilities is 1% of estimated construction cost ($50 minimum, $500 maximum)
ADH runs a statewide Food Protection Inspection Portal for applications and inspection records
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Caterer
$35.00 annual permit fee (permitted as a retail food establishment); source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Food-Permit-Application-2025.pdf
Arkansas applies the same flat $35 statewide retail food permit fee to catering operations
Retail deli/bakery operations pay the same flat $35 statewide permit fee
Grocery / market with deli
$35.00 annual permit fee (Food Store category); source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Food-Permit-Application-2025.pdf
Grocery/markets are permitted as food stores at the flat $35 statewide fee; a deli does not change the fee
Pushcart / mobile vending
$35.00 annual permit fee (Food Mobile category); source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Food-Permit-Application-2025.pdf
Mobile units/push carts require a commissary/base of operations; ADH is the statewide permitting authority
Equipment your Benton 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.
$35.00 annual permit fee (flat statewide); applies to Restaurant, Food Store, Kiosk, Retail Deli/Bakery, Food Mobile, Daycare, Private School, Private Contractor (Schools) and Summer Feeding/Afterschool; Public School or Charter School $0; source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Food-Permit-Application-2025.pdf These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Benton County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: 1% of the total estimated construction cost, not less than $50 and not to exceed $500; source https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/public-health-safety/food-protection-inspection-portal/food-protection-faq/
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Benton County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile units/push carts require a commissary/base of operations; ADH is the statewide permitting authority
Who issues food permits in Benton County?
Food permits here are issued by Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Food Protection Program (food establishments in Arkansas are permitted and inspected by the STATE ADH through its local/county health units; Benton County has no independent county food-permit authority). 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