Humboldt County DHHS - Division of Environmental Health (Consumer Protection Program) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Humboldt County food-facility health permits run about $360–$1,170 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $180–$1,080. Confirm the exact amount with Humboldt County DHHS - Division of Environmental Health (Consumer Protection Program) 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 Humboldt County DHHS - Division of Environmental Health (Consumer Protection Program) issues the health permit.
About 321 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 133,985. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
Food Facility Annual Permit
No Preparation $360
Minimal Preparation $860
Full Preparation $1,170
Tiered by preparation level; Effective January 19, 2026. Multiple unit +$405 per additional unit; Seasonal operations: 70% fee (4-8 months) or 45% fee (<=4 months); Operating without a permit = double fee
Plan review — required
New food facility $720 (4 hr max)
Major remodel $1,080
Minor plan review (equipment/menu) $180 (1 hr max)
How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Facility
Mobile No Preparation $405
Mobile Minimal Preparation $590
Mobile Full Preparation $860
Commissary Permit $360. Effective January 19, 2026
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 Humboldt County’s permit cost compares
At about $360/year, Humboldt County’s restaurant health permit is below the California median ($491) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 96% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 13th-lowest of 40 California 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 321 food & drinking establishments serve ~133,985 residents in Humboldt County — one per ~417 residents, denser than the California average (one per ~491).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$360 annual health permit + $180 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 Humboldt 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 Humboldt 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 Humboldt County?
No Preparation $360; Minimal Preparation $860; Full Preparation $1,170 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Humboldt County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: New food facility $720 (4 hr max); Major remodel $1,080; Minor plan review (equipment/menu) $180 (1 hr max); Plan check each additional hour $180
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Humboldt County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Commissary Permit $360. Effective January 19, 2026
Who issues food permits in Humboldt County?
Food permits here are issued by Humboldt County DHHS - Division of Environmental Health (Consumer Protection Program). 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