Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Mesa County food-facility health permits run about $481–$826 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $155. Confirm the exact amount with Mesa County Public Health 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 Mesa County Public Health issues the health permit.
About 319 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 159,681. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
Fees are STATE-SET statewide under Colorado SB25-285, phased in over 2026-2028 (25% increase in 2026); New 2026 fees effective September 1, 2025; apply to new licenses and 2026 renewals; 2028 rates continue for 2029+ unless updated
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Mesa County’s permit cost compares
At about $481/year, Mesa County’s restaurant health permit is above the Colorado median ($338) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 98% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 62nd-lowest of 64 Colorado 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 319 food & drinking establishments serve ~159,681 residents in Mesa County — one per ~501 residents, sparser than the Colorado average (one per ~428).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$481 annual health permit + $155 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
All retail food fees are set by Colorado statute (SB25-285), not by the county
Grocery store 0-15,000 sq ft $244 (2026); >15,000 sq ft $441; grocery w/deli 0-15,000 $469, >15,000 $894 (2026)
Oil & Gas Temporary Establishment $1,063 (2026); hourly HACCP/plan review time $30/hr
Oil & Gas Temporary Establishment $1,063 (2026); State-set fees under SB25-285
Equipment your Mesa 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.
2026: $481 (0-100 seats), $538 (101-200 seats), $581 (>200 seats); 2027: $567/$634/$687. 2028: $682/$763/$826 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Mesa County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $155.00 (Retail Food Plan Review Application)
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Mesa County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. State SB25-285 mobile categories: full-service food and limited food service (prepackaged)
Who issues food permits in Mesa County?
Food permits here are issued by Mesa County Public Health. 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