Local permits & fees

Davidson County, TN Food Facility Permits

Restaurants and food trucks.

Metro Public Health Department (Nashville/Davidson County) - Food Protection & Public Facilities Division · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the 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 Metro Public Health Department (Nashville/Davidson County) - Food Protection & Public Facilities Division issues the health permit.

Cities with their own health department: Goodlettsville, Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Forest Hills, Oak Hill. Food businesses inside these cities apply to the city health department (with its own fees and rules), not Davidson County. Confirm which authority covers your exact address.

About 2,193 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 712,334. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Establishment Permit (annual)

Fee not published online — contact the department.

Exact food service establishment permit fee NOT published online; Tennessee food service establishment permit fees are set under state rule (TN Dept of Health, rule 1200-23-01) and administered by Metro Public Health as a delegated metro health department; Online payment portal adds a 2.3% convenience fee; Contact 615-340-5616 / Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave

Plan review — required

Fee not published online.

Plan-review details & forms →

Reach the department

Phone(615) 340-5620

Office2500 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209

Websitewww.nashville.gov →

Plan reviewwww.nashville.gov →

Inspection grading

Numeric score

Metro Nashville/Davidson food protection scores establishments 0–100; reports posted on site and available online.

Inspection scores & grading

Grading system: 0-100 sanitation score. Metro Public Health Department (Nashville-Davidson consolidated government) Food Protection Services inspects every food service establishment countywide at least twice/year. Scores run 0-100: non-priority violations deduct 1-2 points, priority violations 4-5 points (must be corrected immediately or within 10 days). Establishments must post the most recent report; reports available via TN Dept of Health.

Look up Davidson County restaurant inspection scores →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit Permit

Reported ~$210/yr

All mobile food units operating in Davidson County must allow a green 'sign compliance' tag to be affixed to the exterior; Mobile unit plan review required

How to apply

Davidson County fees & payment information →Forms & applications →

Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.

Local food-service market

About 2,193 food & drinking establishments serve ~712,334 residents in Davidson County — one per ~325 residents, denser than the Tennessee average (one per ~706).

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

The full approval stack

A code-compliant kitchen in Davidson County needs more than the health permit — these approvals are handled by separate offices. Confirm current requirements with each.

Building / plans	Metro Codes & Building Safety (Metro Nashville-Davidson County) – Building Permits
Fire marshal	Nashville Fire Department – Fire Marshal's Office (Fire Life & Safety plan review)
Zoning / planning	Metro Codes & Building Safety – Zoning Division
Sewer / grease	Metro Water Services – Environmental Compliance / FOG Management (Industrial Pretreatment)
Business license	Metro Nashville / Davidson County Clerk – Business License (Standard Business License; TN Dept of Revenue business tax)

Watch out for

Mobile food units must display a green 'sign compliance' tag placed by the health department on the exterior
Permit fees are governed by TN state rule and not itemized on the Metro site; payment is via an online portal (+2.3% fee) or in person

Equipment your Davidson 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.

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 Davidson County with its neighbors.

Cheatham County, TN

Restaurant permit: $100

Robertson County, TN

Restaurant permit: $100

Rutherford County, TN

Restaurant permit: $210

Sumner County, TN

Restaurant permit: $210

Williamson County, TN

Restaurant permit: $210

Wilson County, TN

Restaurant permit: $100

How to open: typical permitting sequence

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

Confirm whether Davidson 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.

Official plan-check requirements: plan-check guide →

Frequently asked questions

Is plan review required in Davidson County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility.

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Davidson County?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. All mobile food units operating in Davidson County must allow a green 'sign compliance' tag to be affixed to the exterior; Mobile unit plan review required

Who issues food permits in Davidson County?

Food permits here are issued by Metro Public Health Department (Nashville/Davidson County) - Food Protection & Public Facilities 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.

Tennessee 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.nashville.gov · www.nashville.gov · www.nashville.gov · observed 2026-08-06