Virginia Department of Health - Henrico Health District (statewide VDH fee schedule; permit issued/collected by the local health department) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Henrico County food-facility health permits run about $40 annually. Plan review runs about $40. Confirm the exact amount with Virginia Department of Health - Henrico Health District (statewide VDH fee schedule; permit issued/collected by the local health department) 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 Virginia Department of Health - Henrico Health District (statewide VDH fee schedule; permit issued/collected by the local health department) issues the health permit.
About 713 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 334,760. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
Foodservice Permit (Food Establishment Permit)
$40 (annual)
Uniform statewide VDH fee; submitted to the local health department; Permit application due at least 30 days prior to opening
Plan review — required
$40
Turnaround: Submit at least 30 days prior to opening
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Henrico County’s permit cost compares
At about $40/year, Henrico County’s restaurant health permit is about the Virginia median ($40) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 15% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 59th-lowest of 133 Virginia 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 713 food & drinking establishments serve ~334,760 residents in Henrico County — one per ~470 residents, denser than the Virginia average (one per ~630).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$40 annual health permit + $40 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 fee schedule (VDH); flat $40 plan review + $40 permit applies statewide, administered locally
Temporary Food Establishment permit $40 (apply at least 10 calendar days prior to operation)
Some manufacturers/packers regulated by VDACS rather than VDH
Henrico Health Department contact (804) 501-4529
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Temporary / seasonal event
$40
Virginia Temporary Food Establishment permit (statewide VDH fee); apply at least 10 calendar days prior to operation
Pushcart / mobile vending
$40
Mobile Foodservice Permit (statewide VDH fee); mobile plan review also required
Equipment your Henrico 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.
$40 (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 Henrico County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $40
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Henrico County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile foodservice plan review also required and submitted to Henrico Health Department
Who issues food permits in Henrico County?
Food permits here are issued by Virginia Department of Health - Henrico Health District (statewide VDH fee schedule; permit issued/collected by the local health department). 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