Butler County General Health District, Environmental Health & Plumbing Services (county general health district; cities of Hamilton and Middletown each have their own city health department) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Butler County food-facility health permits run about $28–$1,180 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $175–$1,750. Confirm the exact amount with Butler County General Health District, Environmental Health & Plumbing Services (county general health district; cities of Hamilton and Middletown each have their own city health department) 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 Butler County General Health District, Environmental Health & Plumbing Services (county general health district; cities of Hamilton and Middletown each have their own city health department) issues the health permit.
About 714 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 393,043. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Butler County’s permit cost compares
At about $28/year, Butler County’s restaurant health permit is about the Ohio median ($28) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 3% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 3rd-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 714 food & drinking establishments serve ~393,043 residents in Butler County — one per ~550 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 ~$28 annual health permit + $175 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
Ohio state-standardized risk levels (Level 1 lowest through Level 4 highest); a fixed $28 state portion is added to every FSO/RFE license
Temporary FSO/RFE license: $75 per event
Vending FSO/RFE license: $27.75 per machine (incl; $6 state portion)
New water sample fee for FSO/RFE (private water): $90 base plus lab costs
Butler County General Health District covers all of Butler County EXCEPT the cities of Hamilton and Middletown, which run their own city health departments (fees may differ there)
Equipment your Butler 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.
Commercial 24,999 sq ft or less: Level 1 $260, Level 2 $285, Level 3 $485, Level 4 $595. Commercial 25,000 sq ft or more: Level 1 $345, Level 2 $360, Level 3 $1,115, Level 4 $1,180 (each includes $28 Ohio state portion) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Butler County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Level 1 $175, Level 2 $225, Level 3 $370, Level 4 $475; Micro Market Plan Review $175; Expedited Plan Review $1,750
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Butler County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile fee is risk-based (high vs low risk); low-risk is 50% of high-risk food portion
Who issues food permits in Butler County?
Food permits here are issued by Butler County General Health District, Environmental Health & Plumbing Services (county general health district; cities of Hamilton and Middletown each have their own city health department). 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