Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Division of Food Protection (state-administered) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
DeSoto County food-facility health permits run about $40–$264.50 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $224.25. Confirm the exact amount with Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Division of Food Protection (state-administered) 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 Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Division of Food Protection (state-administered) issues the health permit.
About 364 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 193,247. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
Annual fee is set by the risk level assigned at plan review and re-evaluated yearly at inspection; MSDH permits food establishments statewide; there is no separate DeSoto County health-department permit
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How DeSoto County’s permit cost compares
At about $40/year, DeSoto County’s restaurant health permit is about the Mississippi median ($40) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 15% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 17th-lowest of 82 Mississippi 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 364 food & drinking establishments serve ~193,247 residents in DeSoto County — one per ~531 residents, denser than the Mississippi average (one per ~661).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$40 annual health permit + $224 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
State-administered: MSDH Division of Food Protection permits establishments in DeSoto County (Memphis metro)
Annual permit fee depends on facility risk category (Risk 1-4)
Online-only payment via ms.gov using the Permit ID Number; county offices no longer take cash/checks
Food manufacturing/processing (as opposed to retail) is generally regulated by the MS Dept; of Agriculture & Commerce, not MSDH
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Bakery / food processing
retail bakeries permitted under MSDH risk-based schedule ($40.00-$264.50); food manufacturing/processing is regulated by the MS Dept; of Agriculture & Commerce, not MSDH
MSDH does not break out fees by establishment type; all retail food establishments use the Risk 1-4 annual schedule
Equipment your DeSoto 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.
Risk 1 $40.00 / Risk 2 $132.25 / Risk 3 $198.00 / Risk 4 $264.50 (annual) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in DeSoto County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $224.25
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in DeSoto County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile units are permitted under the same MSDH risk-based fee schedule as fixed establishments
Who issues food permits in DeSoto County?
Food permits here are issued by Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Division of Food Protection (state-administered). 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