Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) - Environmental Health / Food & Lodging · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Mobile County food-facility health permits run about $270–$615 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $410–$1,380. Confirm the exact amount with Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) - Environmental Health / Food & Lodging 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 Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) - Environmental Health / Food & Lodging issues the health permit.
About 690 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 411,640. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
Food Service Establishment Annual Permit
$410/yr (up to 1,000 sq ft)
$615/yr (over 1,000 sq ft)
Limited Food Service $480
Limited Retail Food Service $270
From MCHD Schedule of Fees v01/07/2026, authorized by the Mobile County Commission; Fees auto-increase every 3 years by CPI; Food/Lodging Pre/Re-Inspection Fee $80
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Mobile County’s permit cost compares
At about $270/year, Mobile County’s restaurant health permit is above the Alabama median ($118) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 91% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 6th-lowest of 6 Alabama 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 690 food & drinking establishments serve ~411,640 residents in Mobile County — one per ~597 residents, denser than the Alabama average (one per ~692).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$270 annual health permit + $410 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
Full published fee schedule: plan-review resubmission $200, rush $410, plans submitted after construction begins = 2x applicable fee
Fees automatically increase every 3 years based on U.S; CPI
"Food Service Processors"; tiered by gross receipts
pushcart/limited operation
Limited Food Service $480.00; Limited Retail Food Service $270.00; Cottage Food Registration $80.00; Ice cream truck $80.00
Multiple limited-operation categories published; no separate caterer/commissary/bakery/market-deli/bar categories listed
Equipment your Mobile 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.
$410/yr (up to 1,000 sq ft); $615/yr (over 1,000 sq ft); Limited Food Service $480; Limited Retail Food Service $270 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Mobile County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $410 (up to 1,000 sq ft); $615 (over 1,000 sq ft); $1,380 (multiplex)
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Mobile County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile-unit annual/operational fee tiered by number of operating days, per MCHD Schedule of Fees v01/07/2026
Who issues food permits in Mobile County?
Food permits here are issued by Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) - Environmental Health / Food & Lodging. 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