Local permits & fees

Food Establishment Permit, IN Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

Crawford County Health Department · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Food Establishment Permit food-facility health permits run about $100–$150 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $200. Confirm the exact amount with Crawford County Health Department 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 Crawford County Health Department issues the health permit.

About 12 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 10,438. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Establishment Permit

$100-$150

Food Service Establishment by risk category: Category I $150, Category II $125, Category III $100. Retail Establishment (grocery, by size): 1-4999 sq ft $50, 5000-15000 sq ft $100, over 15000 sq ft $200. Cottage permit $25. Permit late fee $50 (after 30 days); County: Crawford County, INDIANA (English, IN); Fee schedule revised 01-06-2026

Plan review — required

$200

Reach the department

Phone812-338-2302

Emaildshelton@crawfordcountyin.com

Office306 Oakhill Circle P O Box 246 English, IN 47118

Websitewww.cchd.net →

Inspection grading

How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment

$40

Mobile permit (6 months or less) $40; Mobile plan review $100. Temporary permit (single event) $30, non-profit $0; temporary late fee $25 (after 10 days)

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 Food Establishment Permit’s permit cost compares

At about $100/year, Food Establishment Permit’s restaurant health permit is about the Indiana median ($100) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 45% of U.S. counties.

Ranked 19th-lowest of 63 Indiana 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 12 food & drinking establishments serve ~10,438 residents in Food Establishment Permit — one per ~870 residents, sparser than the Indiana average (one per ~577).

U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).

Budget the permit stack

Start with ~$100 annual health permit + $200 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 Food Establishment Permit 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.

Compartment sinks

3-bay wash / rinse / sanitize — sized to your menu

Hand sinks

required in prep, cook & warewashing areas

Grease traps / interceptors

sized by drainage fixture units

Reach-in refrigeration

cold-holding at 41°F or below

Work tables & surfaces

NSF-listed, non-absorbent

Hoods & ventilation

over cooking equipment; make-up air

Dishwashers

high-temp or chemical sanitizing

Nearby counties

Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Food Establishment Permit with its neighbors.

Dubois County, IN

Restaurant permit: See page

Harrison County, IN

Restaurant permit: See page

Orange County, IN

Restaurant permit: $125

Perry County, IN

Restaurant permit: $125

Washington County, IN

Restaurant permit: $75

Meade County, KY

Restaurant permit: $125

How to open: typical permitting sequence

This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.

Confirm whether Food Establishment Permit 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 Food Establishment Permit?

$100-$150 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in Food Establishment Permit?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $200

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Food Establishment Permit?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile permit (6 months or less) $40; Mobile plan review $100. Temporary permit (single event) $30, non-profit $0; temporary late fee $25 (after 10 days)

Who issues food permits in Food Establishment Permit?

Food permits here are issued by Crawford County Health Department. 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.

Indiana statewide rules

Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.

What equipment you need

Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.

Permits & plan review, explained

The stack of approvals before you open.

Sources: www.cchd.net · www.cchd.net · observed 2026-08-21