Cochise County Health & Social Services - Environmental Health Division · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Cochise County food-facility health permits run about $85–$620 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $60–$300. Confirm the exact amount with Cochise County Health & Social Services - Environmental Health Division 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 Cochise County Health & Social Services - Environmental Health Division issues the health permit.
About 208 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 124,640. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
$200 Plan Review Fee required if the cart/unit is custom-built or has not previously held a Cochise County permit; Mobile Food Unit Types I-III defined separately
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Cochise County’s permit cost compares
At about $85/year, Cochise County’s restaurant health permit is below the Arizona median ($200) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 34% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 2nd-lowest of 9 Arizona 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 208 food & drinking establishments serve ~124,640 residents in Cochise County — one per ~599 residents, sparser than the Arizona average (one per ~597).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$85 annual health permit + $60 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
Fee schedule (Summary of Fees) published only as images on the Establishment Fees page; figures transcribed from those images
Separate for-profit vs non-profit columns throughout (non-profits ~50% off)
Temporary food vendors priced one-time vs annual and by risk; Certified Food Protection Manager training/test $100
Mobile Food Units for-profit: $120/$245/$300 (Risk 1/2/3); non-profit: $60/$123/$150
$200 plan review if custom-built or no prior county permit; Mobile Food Unit plan review $200
Equipment your Cochise 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.
For-profit: Risk 1 $170, Risk 2 $305, Risk 3 $460, Risk 4 $620. Non-profit: Risk 1 $85, Risk 2 $153, Risk 3 $230, Risk 4 $310 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Cochise County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Complex Review $300; Minor Review $80; Mobile Food Unit Review $200; Change of Ownership Inspection $125; Non-Profit Charitable $60
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Cochise County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. $200 Plan Review Fee required if the cart/unit is custom-built or has not previously held a Cochise County permit; Mobile Food Unit Types I-III defined separately
Who issues food permits in Cochise County?
Food permits here are issued by Cochise County Health & Social Services - Environmental Health Division. 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