Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Franklin County food-facility health permits run about $200–$700 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $30–$800. Confirm the exact amount with Benton-Franklin Health District 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 Benton-Franklin Health District issues the health permit.
About 157 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 99,034. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Unit - Per Unit
Risk 1 $200
Risk 2 $300
Risk 3 $400 (plan review $500)
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 Franklin County’s permit cost compares
At about $200/year, Franklin County’s restaurant health permit is below the Washington median ($292) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 77% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 8th-lowest of 30 Washington 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 157 food & drinking establishments serve ~99,034 residents in Franklin County — one per ~631 residents, sparser than the Washington average (one per ~521).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$200 annual health permit + $30 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 Franklin 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.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Confirm whether Franklin 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a food permit in Franklin County?
By seats x risk level (1/2/3): 0-20 $200/$300/$400; 21-50 $300/$400/$500; 51-100 $400/$500/$600; 101+ $500/$600/$700 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Franklin County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Restaurant plan review by seats: 0-20 $500; 21-50 $600; 51-100 $700; 101+ $800. Exempt-from-permit menu review $30
Who issues food permits in Franklin County?
Food permits here are issued by Benton-Franklin Health District. 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