Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
Fayette County food-facility health permits run about $75–$215 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Confirm the exact amount with Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD) - Environmental Health / Food Protection 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 Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD) - Environmental Health / Food Protection issues the health permit.
About 800 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 320,154. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Kentucky food-establishment permit fees are set by STATE regulation 902 KAR 45:110 and collected/administered by the local health department (LFCHD); The regulation also references a base annual fee component ($125); confirm the exact total with LFCHD (859) 231-9791. Establishments inspected twice per year
Kentucky food code: 0–100 score shown on a color placard — green (85+, no priority violations) or red; posted in the establishment and available online.
Statewide mobile food units register with LFCHD at least 48 hours before setting up at a location; State permit fees per 902 KAR 45:110; local registration fee per LFCHD; Commissary generally required
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| caterer | +$135 (catering add-on to the food service establishment permit) | Per 902 KAR 45:110, catering is a charge added to the base food service permit rather than a stand-alone license |
| commissary / central preparation kitchen | not broken out as a separate category in 902 KAR 45:110; a commissary is permitted as a food service or retail food establishment; Confirm classification with LFCHD | No distinct commissary fee tier published |
| bakery / food processing | Retail bakery = retail food store by square footage: 0-1,000 sq ft $90; 1,001-10,000 $155; 10,001-20,000 $215; 20,001-30,000 $250; 30,001+ $375 | Retail bakeries fall under the retail food store schedule; wholesale food manufacturing is regulated by the KY Dept of Agriculture, not LFCHD |
| bar / limited food service | Food service establishment by seating: 1-25 seats $75; 26-50 $125; 51-100 $155; 101-200 $185; 201+ $215 | A bar serving food is permitted on the food service establishment seating schedule (902 KAR 45:110) |
| grocery / market with deli | Retail food store by square footage: 0-1,000 sq ft $90; 1,001-10,000 $155; 10,001-20,000 $215; 20,001-30,000 $250; 30,001+ $375 | Grocery/market permitted as a retail food store; an in-store deli/food prep may add a food service establishment component |
| temporary / seasonal event | Temporary food service: 1-3 days $60; 4-7 days $90; 8-14 days $125. Farmer's market $100/yr | 501(c)(3) nonprofits exempt from fees |
| pushcart / mobile vending | Statewide Mobile Food Unit $200/yr; Mobile retail food store $60/yr; LFCHD mobile registration $100/yr or $25/location | State permit fee per 902 KAR 45:110 plus local LFCHD registration |
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.
Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Fayette County with its neighbors.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Official plan-check requirements: plan-check guide →