Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD), Food Safety Program · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Clark County food-facility health permits run about $28 annually. Plan review runs about $205–$820. Confirm the exact amount with Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD), Food Safety 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 Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD), Food Safety Program issues the health permit.
About 215 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 134,610. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Operation (FSO) / Retail Food Establishment (RFE) License
Annual FSO/RFE license fee is set by risk level (1-4) and facility size and is not published online (CCCHD says fee is '
determined by CCCHD'
/ contact 937-390-5600)
A $28.00 state fee (ODH/ODA) is added to every license per the 2026 application
All retail food businesses in Clark County require an FSO (food prep/service) or RFE (retail sale) license; Risk Level 3 & 4 facilities must have a Level Two certified food-protection manager; 25% late penalty on renewals; $28 state amount confirmed on the 2026 application form
Plan review — required
Commercial:
$410.00 (<
25,000 sq ft) / $820.00 (>
25,000 sq ft)
Non-Commercial: $205.00 (<
25,000 sq ft) / $410.00 (>
25,000 sq ft)
Micro Market: $410.00. (Fee Schedule as of 2026.)
Turnaround: Reviewed within 30 days of submitting plans + fee; plans due at least 30 days prior to construction
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Clark County’s permit cost compares
At about $28/year, Clark 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 4th-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 215 food & drinking establishments serve ~134,610 residents in Clark County — one per ~626 residents, sparser 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 + $205 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.
Every license carries a $28.00 state fee (Ohio Dept of Agriculture / Ohio Dept of Health) on top of the local license fee
Annual license and mobile fees are NOT published online; only the plan-review fee schedule is public
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Caterer
Catering is a checkbox add-on on the FSO/RFE license application and is classified as Risk Level 4 (off-site events); fee is set by risk level and not published online
Licensed as part of the FSO/RFE license; contact CCCHD 937-390-5600
Bar / limited food service
Licensed as an FSO by risk level (typically Level 1-2 for beverages/limited non-TCS prep); fee not published online
Grocery / market with deli
Licensed as a Retail Food Establishment (RFE) by risk level (a deli raises the risk level); fee not published online
RFE = retail sale of food; FSO = prepared for immediate consumption
Temporary / seasonal event
Temporary FSO/RFE license issued by CCCHD; fee not published online
Ohio caps temporary licenses; see CCCHD temporary brochure
Pushcart / mobile vending
Mobile FSO/RFE license by risk level; fee not published online; $28 state fee applies
Equipment your Clark 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.
Annual FSO/RFE license fee is set by risk level (1-4) and facility size and is not published online (CCCHD says fee is 'determined by CCCHD' / contact 937-390-5600); A $28.00 state fee (ODH/ODA) is added to every license per the 2026 application These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Clark County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Commercial: $410.00 (<25,000 sq ft) / $820.00 (>25,000 sq ft); Non-Commercial: $205.00 (<25,000 sq ft) / $410.00 (>25,000 sq ft); Micro Market: $410.00. (Fee Schedule as of 2026.)
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Clark County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile units licensed same as fixed FSO/RFE by risk level; pre-operational inspection required
Who issues food permits in Clark County?
Food permits here are issued by Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD), Food Safety 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