Local permits & fees

Mercer County, OH Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

Mercer County Ohio Health District · department site →

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

Mercer County food-facility health permits run about $28–$778 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Confirm the exact amount with Mercer County Ohio Health District 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 Mercer County Ohio Health District issues the health permit.

About 91 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 42,439. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Service Operation / Retail Food Establishment License

Commercial <25,000 sq ft:

Level 1 $187, Level 2 $207, Level 3 $368, Level 4 $458
Commercial >
=25,000 sq ft: Level 1 $259, Level 2 $271, Level 3 $728, Level 4 $778 (total, incl
$28 state)

Risk Level I-IV, commercial vs non-commercial, and <25,000 vs >=25,000 sq ft; Non-commercial licenses range $93.50-$389.00. Effective September 1, 2025

Plan review — required

30% of local license fee

Reach the department

Phone419-586-3251

Emailhealthdistrict@mchdohio.org

Office220 W. Livingston Street, Celina, OH 45822

Websitemchdohio.org →

Inspection grading

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

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile FSO

$145.00 total

Low-Risk Mobile RFE $86.50 total; Temporary license $50.00 per event

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 Mercer County’s permit cost compares

At about $28/year, Mercer County’s restaurant health permit is about the Ohio median ($28) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 3% of U.S. counties.

Ranked 25th-lowest of 54 Ohio 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 91 food & drinking establishments serve ~42,439 residents in Mercer County — one per ~466 residents, denser than the Ohio average (one per ~574).

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

Budget the permit stack

Start with ~$28 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 Mercer 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 Mercer County with its neighbors.

Adams County, IN

Restaurant permit: See page

Jay County, IN

Restaurant permit: See page

Auglaize County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Darke County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Shelby County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Van Wert County, OH

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 Mercer 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 Mercer County?

Commercial <25,000 sq ft: Level 1 $187, Level 2 $207, Level 3 $368, Level 4 $458; Commercial >=25,000 sq ft: Level 1 $259, Level 2 $271, Level 3 $728, Level 4 $778 (total, incl; $28 state) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in Mercer County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: 30% of local license fee

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

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Low-Risk Mobile RFE $86.50 total; Temporary license $50.00 per event

Who issues food permits in Mercer County?

Food permits here are issued by Mercer County Ohio Health District. 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.

Ohio 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: mchdohio.org · mchdohio.org · observed 2026-08-21