Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Clay County food-facility health permits run about $201–$631 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $231. Confirm the exact amount with Clay County Public Health Center 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 Clay County Public Health Center issues the health permit.
About 458 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 259,772. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Establishment operating permit (risk-based)
Low Risk $201.00
Medium Risk $333.00
Moderate Risk $481.00
High Risk $631.00 (food prep, retail, mobile
fee schedule effective Jan 1, 2019)
Risk category assigned after review of application and menu; New establishment / change of ownership adds a $50.00 application fee; Food Code updated effective 1/1/2026; confirm whether fee amounts were revised
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Clay County’s permit cost compares
At about $201/year, Clay County’s restaurant health permit is above the Missouri median ($100) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 77% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 23rd-lowest of 25 Missouri 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 458 food & drinking establishments serve ~259,772 residents in Clay County — one per ~567 residents, denser than the Missouri average (one per ~610).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$201 annual health permit + $231 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
Single risk-based fee schedule (Low/Medium/Moderate/High) applies to food prep, retail and mobile alike
Published fee schedule is dated effective 1/1/2019 (revised 11/16/18); a Food Code change took effect 1/1/2026
Kansas City metro; also charges Food Warehouse $234, Frozen Dairy Case $130, Vending Machine (TCS) $130, Farmers' Market Vendor $142
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Temporary / seasonal event
1-3 Day Event: $50.00 (applied >14 days prior) / $100.00 (<14 days prior) / $150.00 (<24 hours prior); 4-14 Day Event: $75.00 / $150.00 / $300.00; Not-for-profit (free to public/charity): $30.00 / $60.00 / $90.00 (eff; 1/1/2019)
Fee rises the later the application is filed relative to the event
Pushcart / mobile vending
Risk-based (Low $201.00 / Medium $333.00 / Moderate $481.00 / High $631.00); Frozen Food Truck Sales $143.00
Mobile units share the risk-based food permit schedule
Grocery / market with deli
Risk-based retail: Low $201.00 / Medium $333.00 / Moderate $481.00 / High $631.00; Food Warehouse $234.00; Frozen Dairy Case $130.00; Vending Machine (TCS foods) $130.00; Farmers' Market Vendor $142.00
Retail markets classed by risk; ancillary food-retail lines listed separately
Equipment your Clay 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.
Low Risk $201.00; Medium Risk $333.00; Moderate Risk $481.00; High Risk $631.00 (food prep, retail, mobile; fee schedule effective Jan 1, 2019) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Clay County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $231.00
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Clay County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile units carry the same risk-based fee as fixed establishments
Who issues food permits in Clay County?
Food permits here are issued by Clay County Public Health Center. 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