Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
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 Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH), Food & Lodging / Environmental Health issues the health permit.
About 1,423 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 662,895. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Any business that prepares, serves, or sells food must hold a current annual food permit (Jefferson County Food Code); Located at 1400 6th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35233
Turnaround: Plans acted upon within 30 days of receipt (per JCDH); applicants also report typical review of ~2-4 weeks
Jefferson County Dept. of Health scores establishments 0–100 (same ADPH scoring); scores posted and searchable in its own online database.
Food trucks must complete the new-establishment process including plan review (layout, menu, equipment, processes); Temporary food service events: $100 per unit ($200 per unit if received <14 days before event)
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | $50 | JCDH charges a single flat annual food establishment permit ($50 per location) across fixed establishment types; caterers operate from a permitted food service establishment (JCDH food regs definition); 15% late penalty ($7.50) if renewal postmarked after July 31 |
| Commissary / central kitchen | $50 | Commissary is a permitted food establishment to which mobile units return daily (JCDH regs definition); covered by the standard $50 annual food permit |
| Bakery | $50 | Retail bakeries require the standard annual food establishment permit ($50) |
| Market / grocery with deli | $50 | Grocery stores that prepare, serve or sell food require the annual food permit ($50) |
| Temporary / special event | $100 per unit | Non-refundable temporary food service event application fee, $100 per unit; $100 late fee if received <14 days before the event; $150 fee to apply for exemption for events lasting <24 hours; Source: JCDH Temporary Food Establishment Requirements (jcdh.org PdfViewer AdminUploadId=536) |
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.
Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Jefferson County with its neighbors.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Official plan-check requirements: plan-check guide →