Calaveras County Environmental Management Agency - Environmental Health (Food Facility Program) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Calaveras County food-facility health permits run about $385–$616 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $154–$616. Confirm the exact amount with Calaveras County Environmental Management Agency - Environmental Health (Food Facility Program) 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 Calaveras County Environmental Management Agency - Environmental Health (Food Facility Program) issues the health permit.
About 98 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 46,565. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Facility Health Permit
Restaurant $616 (annual)
Facility with Bar $462
Bar Only $385
Flat annual fees by facility type (PE codes); Other categories: Public/Private School Food Facility $308, Bed & Breakfast $308, Pre-Packaged Food Only $308, Market $616, Market with Additional Food Prep $770, Catering $308, Temporary Food Facility $308, Host Facility $308, Change of Ownership $154/hr; Operating without a permit = double fee
How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Facility
Mobile Food Facility $462
Compact Food Operations $308
Commissary Only $308; Food Facility with Commissary $308
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 Calaveras County’s permit cost compares
At about $385/year, Calaveras County’s restaurant health permit is below the California median ($491) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 97% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 15th-lowest of 40 California 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 98 food & drinking establishments serve ~46,565 residents in Calaveras County — one per ~475 residents, denser than the California average (one per ~491).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$385 annual health permit + $154 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 Calaveras 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.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Confirm whether Calaveras 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 Calaveras County?
Restaurant $616 (annual); Facility with Bar $462; Bar Only $385 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Calaveras County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Plan Check; New Food Facility $616 (per facility); Plan Check; Remodel $154/hour; Other Plan Check Review $154/hour
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Calaveras County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Commissary Only $308; Food Facility with Commissary $308
Who issues food permits in Calaveras County?
Food permits here are issued by Calaveras County Environmental Management Agency - Environmental Health (Food Facility Program). 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