Local permits & fees

Macoupin County, IL Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

Macoupin County Public Health Department · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Macoupin County food-facility health permits run about $75–$110 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Confirm the exact amount with Macoupin County Public 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 Macoupin County Public Health Department issues the health permit.

About 87 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 44,018. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Program Permit (Food Establishment)

High Risk $110 / Medium Risk $90 / Low Risk $75

Annual permit priced by risk level (high/medium/low); All food establishments in the county require a permit

Plan review — required

Fee not published online.

Reach the department

Phone(217) 854-3223

Office805 North Broad Street, Carlinville, IL 62626

Websitemcphd.net →

Inspection grading

How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.

Food truck / mobile permit

Temporary/Mobile Food Permit

$25 (temporary event, valid 10 consecutive days)

Temporary food event permit is $25. A separate mobile-food-unit fee is not published on the county site

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 Macoupin County’s permit cost compares

At about $75/year, Macoupin County’s restaurant health permit is below the Illinois median ($125) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 29% of U.S. counties.

Ranked 5th-lowest of 62 Illinois 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 87 food & drinking establishments serve ~44,018 residents in Macoupin County — one per ~506 residents, sparser than the Illinois average (one per ~483).

U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).

Budget the permit stack

Start with ~$75 annual health permit.

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 Macoupin 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.

Compartment sinks

3-bay wash / rinse / sanitize — sized to your menu

Hand sinks

required in prep, cook & warewashing areas

Grease traps / interceptors

sized by drainage fixture units

Reach-in refrigeration

cold-holding at 41°F or below

Work tables & surfaces

NSF-listed, non-absorbent

Hoods & ventilation

over cooking equipment; make-up air

Dishwashers

high-temp or chemical sanitizing

Nearby counties

Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Macoupin County with its neighbors.

Greene County, IL

Restaurant permit: See page

Jersey County, IL

Restaurant permit: $100

Madison County, IL

Restaurant permit: See page

Montgomery County, IL

Restaurant permit: See page

Morgan County, IL

Restaurant permit: See page

Sangamon County, IL

Restaurant permit: See page

How to open: typical permitting sequence

This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.

Confirm whether Macoupin 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 Macoupin County?

High Risk $110 / Medium Risk $90 / Low Risk $75 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in Macoupin County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility.

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Macoupin County?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Temporary food event permit is $25. A separate mobile-food-unit fee is not published on the county site

Who issues food permits in Macoupin County?

Food permits here are issued by Macoupin County Public 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.

Illinois statewide rules

Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.

What equipment you need

Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.

Permits & plan review, explained

The stack of approvals before you open.

Sources: macoupincountyil.gov · mcphd.net · observed 2026-08-21