Virginia Department of Health - Loudoun County Health Department (statewide VDH fee schedule; permit issued/collected by the local health department) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Loudoun County food-facility health permits run about $40 annually. Plan review runs about $40. Confirm the exact amount with Virginia Department of Health - Loudoun County Health Department (statewide VDH fee schedule; permit issued/collected by the local health 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 Virginia Department of Health - Loudoun County Health Department (statewide VDH fee schedule; permit issued/collected by the local health department) issues the health permit.
About 813 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 436,347. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
Foodservice Permit (Food Establishment Permit)
$40 (annual)
Uniform statewide VDH fee; submitted to the local health department; Permit application due at least 30 days prior to opening
Plan review — required
$40
Turnaround: Submit at least 30 days prior to opening
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Loudoun County’s permit cost compares
At about $40/year, Loudoun County’s restaurant health permit is about the Virginia median ($40) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 15% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 71st-lowest of 133 Virginia 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 813 food & drinking establishments serve ~436,347 residents in Loudoun County — one per ~537 residents, denser than the Virginia average (one per ~630).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$40 annual health permit + $40 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 fee schedule (VDH); flat $40 plan review + $40 permit applies statewide, administered locally
Temporary Food Vendor permit $40 (apply at least 10 calendar days prior to operation)
Some facilities regulated by VDACS depending on food type/complexity
Loudoun County Health Department contact (703) 777-0234
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Temporary / seasonal event
$40
Virginia Temporary Food Vendor permit (statewide VDH fee); apply at least 10 calendar days prior to operation
Pushcart / mobile vending
$40
Mobile Foodservice Permit (statewide VDH fee); mobile plan review also required
Equipment your Loudoun 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.
$40 (annual) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Loudoun County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $40
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Loudoun County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile foodservice plan review also required; submitted to Loudoun County Health Department
Who issues food permits in Loudoun County?
Food permits here are issued by Virginia Department of Health - Loudoun County Health Department (statewide VDH fee schedule; permit issued/collected by the local health department). 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