South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Protection (state-run; regional advisors administer). Fees fixed in state statute SDCL ch. 34-18. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Clay County food-facility health permits run about $90–$225 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Confirm the exact amount with South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Protection (state-run; regional advisors administer). Fees fixed in state statute SDCL ch. 34-18. 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 South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Protection (state-run; regional advisors administer). Fees fixed in state statute SDCL ch. 34-18. issues the health permit. South Dakota sets food-establishment permit fees at the state level; South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Protection (state-run; regional advisors administer). Fees fixed in state statute SDCL ch. 34-18. is the licensing authority. If your city or county runs its own health department, local fees and rules may also apply — confirm for your exact address.
About 34 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 15,431. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Last verified: 2026-08-21 — 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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 permit / license (state-set)
Annual, by seating (SDCL 34-18-11):
no seating $90
1-50 seats $120
51-100 seats $180
101+ seats $225
Set at the state level by South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Protection (state-run; regional advisors administer); Fees fixed in state statute SDCL ch; 34-18.; a single statewide fee schedule; Effective SDCL 34-18-11 last amended SL 2009 (ch 165); Where a city or county runs its own health department it may set local fees instead
How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile food establishment (state-set)
$38 annual (SDCL 34-18-16)
State-set mobile-food fee; confirm commissary and local requirements
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 Clay County’s permit cost compares
At about $90/year, Clay County’s restaurant health permit is about the South Dakota median ($90) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 36% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 13th-lowest of 66 South Dakota 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 34 food & drinking establishments serve ~15,431 residents in Clay County — one per ~454 residents, sparser than the South Dakota average (one per ~438).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$90 annual health permit.
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 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.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Confirm whether Clay 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 Clay County?
Annual, by seating (SDCL 34-18-11): no seating $90; 1-50 seats $120; 51-100 seats $180; 101+ seats $225 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
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. State-set mobile-food fee; confirm commissary and local requirements
Who issues food permits in Clay County?
Food permits here are issued by South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Protection (state-run; regional advisors administer). Fees fixed in state statute SDCL ch. 34-18.. 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