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.
Harrison 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 471 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 210,612. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Establishment Permit
Risk-based annual permit:
Risk 1 $40.00
Risk 2 $132.25
Risk 3 $198.00
Risk 4 $264.50
Risk level is assigned during plan review and re-evaluated yearly at inspection; fees are statewide; Re-inspection fee is $165.00
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Harrison County’s permit cost compares
At about $40/year, Harrison 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 24th-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 471 food & drinking establishments serve ~210,612 residents in Harrison County — one per ~447 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 and inspects all food establishments statewide
Annual permit fee is determined by the facility's risk level (Risk 1-4)
Plan review fee $224.25; re-inspection fee $165.00. Online payment via ms.gov using the Permit ID number
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Temporary / seasonal event
MSDH temporary food permit; fee not published on the MSDH fee schedule
Contact MSDH Food Protection (601) 364-2832
Pushcart / mobile vending
MSDH permits mobile units under the risk-based annual permit schedule (Risk 1 $40 / Risk 2 $132.25 / Risk 3 $198 / Risk 4 $264.50); no separate mobile fee published
Risk level assigned at plan review
Equipment your Harrison 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-based annual permit: Risk 1 $40.00; Risk 2 $132.25; Risk 3 $198.00; Risk 4 $264.50 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Harrison 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 Harrison County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Contact MSDH Food Protection at (601) 364-2832 to confirm the risk classification and fee for a mobile unit
Who issues food permits in Harrison 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