Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
Delaware County Health Department (DCHD), Environmental Health Services (county health department established 2022) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Delaware County food-facility health permits run about $261–$570 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $47–$380. Confirm the exact amount with Delaware County Health Department (DCHD), Environmental Health Services (county health department established 2022) 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 Delaware County Health Department (DCHD), Environmental Health Services (county health department established 2022) issues the health permit.
About 1,120 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 576,720. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Facility License
$266 (under 50 seats) / $380 (50 or more seats) / $570 (more than 10,000 sq ft) / $380 (in conjunction with a PA liquor license) / $261 (take-out only)
AUTHORITY: Delaware County stood up its own county health department in 2022; it now licenses/inspects under the PA Retail Food Facility Safety Act (previously PDA); Annual license by seating/size; Second follow-up inspection $237; third+ $332; duplicate license $28. All persons in charge must hold a Certified Food Manager certificate ($57)
Plan review — required
$237 (Food Facility Plan Review) / $380 (facility more than 10,000 sq ft) / $47 (change of ownership/turn-key operation, or farmers'
State Dept of Agriculture (or the county health dept for Allegheny/Philadelphia/Bucks/Delaware/Montgomery) inspects to the PA Food Code; risk-based reports online, no letter grade posted.
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Delaware County’s permit cost compares
At about $261/year, Delaware County’s restaurant health permit is above the Pennsylvania median ($82) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 91% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 62nd-lowest of 65 Pennsylvania 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 1,120 food & drinking establishments serve ~576,720 residents in Delaware County — one per ~515 residents, denser than the Pennsylvania average (one per ~525).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$261 annual health permit + $47 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
One of Pennsylvania's county health departments (established 2022); administers its own food-facility licensing/inspection instead of the PA Dept of Agriculture
$380 (Food Facility in Conjunction with a PA Liquor License); $142 (Beverage Manufactured on Premises with Tasting Room, No Food Prep); source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf
Bars with food fall under the liquor-license food facility line; tasting rooms with no food prep are a lower separate line
Grocery / market with deli
$190 (Retail Outlet); $570 if more than 10,000 sq ft (Food Facility more than 10,000 sq ft); source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf
Retail groceries/markets license as a Retail Outlet; large stores are charged by square footage
Temporary / seasonal event
1-3 day $57 / 4-7 day $90 / 8-14 day $142; tax-exempt 1-14 day $33; source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf
Late fee $22 (less than 5 days prior); applications not accepted within 24 hours of the event
Equipment your Delaware 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.
$266 (under 50 seats) / $380 (50 or more seats) / $570 (more than 10,000 sq ft) / $380 (in conjunction with a PA liquor license) / $261 (take-out only); source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Delaware County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $237 (Food Facility Plan Review) / $380 (facility more than 10,000 sq ft) / $47 (change of ownership/turn-key operation, or farmers' market vendor review); source https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/feeschedule_5.pdf
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Delaware County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. All new food facilities (including mobile) must have a plan review approved before applying for a license
Who issues food permits in Delaware County?
Food permits here are issued by Delaware County Health Department (DCHD), Environmental Health Services (county health department established 2022). 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