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Local permits & fees

Houston County, AL Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

Alabama Department of Public Health - Houston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the 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 Alabama Department of Public Health - Houston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division issues the health permit.

About 255 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 108,462. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Service Establishment Permit
  • the Alabama Department of Public Health does not publish a food service establishment permit fee
  • ADPH generally issues food/food service permits at no charge
  • Confirm with Houston County Environmental Health, 334-678-2815

ADPH delegates permitting/inspection to the Houston County Health Department under state rules (Chapter 420-3-22); No permit fee amount is published; contact the county office

Plan review — required

  • plans must be submitted for review before construction/remodel
  • no published plan-review fee found

Plan-review details & forms →

Reach the department

Phone(334) 678-2800
Office1781 East Cottonwood Road, Dothan, AL 36301
Websitewww.alabamapublichealth.gov →
Plan reviewwww.alabamapublichealth.gov →

Inspection grading

Numeric score

Alabama Dept. of Public Health 0–100 inspection score; posted at the establishment and in the ADPH food scores database.

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit Permit
  • no published mobile food unit permit fee
  • ADPH generally issues at no charge
  • Confirm with Houston County Environmental Health

Mobile food units and concession units at temporary events are inspected/permitted by the Houston County Environmental Health Division

How to apply

Forms & applications →

Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.

Local food-service market

About 255 food & drinking establishments serve ~108,462 residents in Houston County — one per ~425 residents, denser than the Alabama average (one per ~692).

U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).

Watch out for

  • The Environmental Health Division permits and inspects over 700 establishments within the City of Dothan and Houston County
  • Alabama food establishment rules are set statewide (ADPH Chapter 420-3-22) and administered at the county level
  • Houston County Environmental Health Services: (334) 678-2815

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Temporary / seasonal eventno published fee; ADPH generally permits concession/temporary units at no charge; Confirm with Houston County Environmental Health, 334-678-2815Concession units at temporary events are inspected/permitted by the county Environmental Health Division
Bakery / food processingfood processing permits in Alabama are administered by ADPH; no county permit fee published; Confirm with Houston County Environmental HealthBakeries and food processing plants are among the establishment types inspected by the Environmental Health Division
Bar / limited food serviceno published fee; ADPH generally issues food service permits at no chargeBars serving food are inspected/permitted as food service establishments

Equipment your Houston 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.

Compartment sinks
3-bay wash / rinse / sanitize — sized to your menu
Hand sinks
required in prep, cook & warewashing areas
Grease traps / interceptors
sized by drainage fixture units
Reach-in refrigeration
cold-holding at 41°F or below
Work tables & surfaces
NSF-listed, non-absorbent
Hoods & ventilation
over cooking equipment; make-up air
Dishwashers
high-temp or chemical sanitizing

Nearby counties

Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Houston County with its neighbors.

Dale County, AL
Restaurant permit: See page
Geneva County, AL
Restaurant permit: See page
Henry County, AL
Restaurant permit: See page
Jackson County, FL
Restaurant permit: $242
Early County, GA
Restaurant permit: See page
Seminole County, GA
Restaurant permit: See page

How to open: typical permitting sequence

This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.

  1. Confirm whether Houston County or another local jurisdiction (city/district) handles your exact address.
  2. Confirm zoning and permitted use.
  3. Prepare your menu and scaled plans.
  4. Include an equipment schedule with ANSI/NSF spec sheets.
  5. Submit water-heater and hood documentation.
  6. Pay plan-review fees.
  7. Respond to plan-check corrections.
  8. Obtain Environmental Health plan approval.
  9. Obtain building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals.
  10. Schedule rough-plumbing, pre-final and final health inspections.
  11. Pay the operating-permit / application fees.
  12. Receive approval before storing or preparing food.

Official plan-check requirements: plan-check guide →

Frequently asked questions

How much is a food permit in Houston County?

the Alabama Department of Public Health does not publish a food service establishment permit fee; ADPH generally issues food/food service permits at no charge; Confirm with Houston County Environmental Health, 334-678-2815 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in Houston County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: plans must be submitted for review before construction/remodel; no published plan-review fee found

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Houston County?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile food units and concession units at temporary events are inspected/permitted by the Houston County Environmental Health Division

Who issues food permits in Houston County?

Food permits here are issued by Alabama Department of Public Health - Houston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division. 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.
Alabama statewide rules
Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.
What equipment you need
Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.
Permits & plan review, explained
The stack of approvals before you open.
Sources: www.alabamapublichealth.gov · www.alabamapublichealth.gov · adph.org · observed 2026-08-07
Published by Resultex Media Group LLC · Independent & vendor-neutral · Educational only, not legal or engineering advice · Last verified September 2026