Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Division of Food Protection - STATE-administered statewide · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Jackson 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 statewide 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 statewide issues the health permit.
About 253 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 146,389. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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)
Set by risk level assigned at plan review:
Risk 1 $40.00
Risk 2 $132.25
Risk 3 $198.00
Risk 4 $264.50 (re-evaluated yearly at inspection)
Re-inspection fee $165.00
Statewide uniform schedule administered by MSDH; permits paid online (no cash/checks at county offices); Source: https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/30,18827,77,311,html
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Jackson County’s permit cost compares
At about $40/year, Jackson 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 30th-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 253 food & drinking establishments serve ~146,389 residents in Jackson County — one per ~579 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 in Jackson County (Pascagoula/Gulf Coast); there is no separate county food-permit program
Annual permit cost is driven entirely by risk level (1-4), not by facility type or gross sales
Plan review ($224.25) is required before opening; risk level assigned at that stage
Payments via the state online system; Division of Food Protection (601) 364-2832
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Pushcart / mobile vending
mobile units are permitted under MSDH's risk-based schedule ($40.00-$264.50 by assigned risk level); no distinct mobile fee is published
State-administered by MSDH Division of Food Protection; risk level set at plan review
Temporary / seasonal event
MSDH does not publish a separate temporary/seasonal food permit fee; fees are driven by assigned risk level
Mississippi permits statewide on a risk basis rather than by facility category
Equipment your Jackson 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.
Set by risk level assigned at plan review: Risk 1 $40.00; Risk 2 $132.25; Risk 3 $198.00; Risk 4 $264.50 (re-evaluated yearly at inspection); Re-inspection fee $165.00 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Jackson County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $224.25 (plan review fee)
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Jackson County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Risk level is assigned during plan review; commissary/base of operations required
Who issues food permits in Jackson County?
Food permits here are issued by Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Division of Food Protection - STATE-administered statewide. 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