Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
Cabarrus Health Alliance, Environmental Health (Food & Lodging), the county public-health authority; operates under NC DHHS state rules. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the 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 Cabarrus Health Alliance, Environmental Health (Food & Lodging), the county public-health authority; operates under NC DHHS state rules. issues the health permit.
About 456 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 240,016. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
Food Service Establishment Permit (NC state-standard, county-issued)
North Carolina does not charge an annual food service establishment permit fee
the state-standardized permit is issued at no recurring charge
The county'
s only up-front cost is a one-time plan review (see plan_review)
NC uses a plan-review-fee model with no annual permit fee; Permit is issued after successful plan review and inspection
Sanitation score converts to a required grade card — A 90-100, B 80-89, C 70-79 (below 70 cannot operate) — posted at the establishment and available online.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Unit / Pushcart permit (NC state-standard, county-issued)
$150 (one-time plan review)
no annual permit fee
Commissary/base required; Shared Use Kitchen application also $150
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
Local food-service market
About 456 food & drinking establishments serve ~240,016 residents in Cabarrus County — one per ~526 residents, denser than the North Carolina average (one per ~598).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Watch out for
No annual permit fee; NC charges only a one-time plan review fee
Fee schedule effective July 1, 2024
Temporary Food Event or Limited Food Service Permit is $75
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Commissary / central preparation kitchen
$150
Shared Use Kitchen application (one-time); NC has no annual permit fee
Bar / limited food service
$75
Limited Food Service Permit (same permit/fee as Temporary Food Event)
Temporary / seasonal event
$75
Temporary Food Event or Limited Food Service Permit
Pushcart / mobile vending
$150
Mobile Food Unit / Pushcart plan review (one-time); no annual permit fee; Commissary required
Equipment your Cabarrus 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.
North Carolina does not charge an annual food service establishment permit fee; the state-standardized permit is issued at no recurring charge; The county's only up-front cost is a one-time plan review (see plan_review) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Cabarrus County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $250 (food service establishment); $250 lodging/institution; $150 remodel/additions to existing facility
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Cabarrus County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Commissary/base required; Shared Use Kitchen application also $150
Who issues food permits in Cabarrus County?
Food permits here are issued by Cabarrus Health Alliance, Environmental Health (Food & Lodging), the county public-health authority; operates under NC DHHS state rules.. 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