Howard County Health Department (Division of Environmental Health) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Howard County food-facility health permits run about $125–$200 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $60. Confirm the exact amount with Howard County Health Department (Division of Environmental Health) 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 Howard County Health Department (Division of Environmental Health) issues the health permit.
About 189 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 83,831. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
Restaurant / food-facility permit
Retail Food Establishment Permit
$125-$200
Annual permit by Menu Type: Type 1 $125, Type 2 $175, Type 3 $200, Type 4 $200, Type 5 $200. Bed & Breakfast reflects menu type; Late fee $25 if not renewed by 1/31. Seasonal $100 per 180 days (not to exceed $200); Per Howard County Fee Ordinance
No separate mobile line item in the fee ordinance (mobile treated as retail food establishment by menu type); Temporary $15/day, not to exceed $75
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 Howard County’s permit cost compares
At about $125/year, Howard County’s restaurant health permit is above the Indiana median ($100) and about the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 57% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 36th-lowest of 63 Indiana 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 189 food & drinking establishments serve ~83,831 residents in Howard County — one per ~444 residents, denser than the Indiana average (one per ~577).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$125 annual health permit + $60 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 Howard 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 Howard 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 Howard County?
$125-$200 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Howard County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $60.00
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Howard County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. No separate mobile line item in the fee ordinance (mobile treated as retail food establishment by menu type); Temporary $15/day, not to exceed $75
Who issues food permits in Howard County?
Food permits here are issued by Howard County Health Department (Division of Environmental Health). 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