Restaurants 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 Restaurants: Florida DBPR - Division of Hotels & Restaurants; Groceries/markets: FDACS - Division of Food Safety (both state-administered) issues the health permit.
About 422 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 163,315. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Restaurants are licensed by the state (DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants), not Martin County; Fee is based on seating capacity provided by the operator; Half-year fees apply if licensing 6 months or less before renewal
State DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants inspects; outcome is met-standards / warning / emergency closure with violations listed, no letter grade; searchable statewide online database.
Licensed by DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants; Plan review (DBPR HR-7006) is required for newly built, converted, or remodeled units
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery / market with deli | grocery/market food permits are issued by FDACS (Division of Food Safety) per Rule 5K-4.020, F.A.C.; Apply via the FDACS Food Permit Center (foodpermit.fdacs.gov) | Groceries, convenience stores, and markets are permitted by FDACS, not DBPR and not Martin County; Fee varies by establishment type/activity under Rule 5K-4.020 |
| Caterer | $50.00 one-time application fee plus DBPR public food service establishment license fee (non-seating/seating schedule applies) | Caterers are licensed by DBPR Division of Hotels & Restaurants as public food service establishments |
| Temporary / seasonal event | DBPR temporary food service event vendors are licensed through the event/sponsor; no single published flat fee; Confirm with DBPR, 850-487-1395 | Temporary food service events are regulated by DBPR (Division of Hotels & Restaurants) |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | $347.00/year plus $50.00 one-time application fee | Hot dog carts and mobile food dispensing vehicles are licensed by DBPR at the MFDV rate |
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 Martin 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 →