Napa County Planning, Building & Environmental Services (PBES), Environmental Health Division · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Napa County food-facility health permits run about $164–$1,673 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $329–$1,807. Confirm the exact amount with Napa County Planning, Building & Environmental Services (PBES), Environmental Health Division 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 Napa County Planning, Building & Environmental Services (PBES), Environmental Health Division issues the health permit.
About 337 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 133,216. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
Risk determined by the Director based on foods/services and foodborne-illness potential; Catering where all food preparation is conducted at the permitted facility by the permitted business is included in this permit; Annual permits: 50% refund if the facility permanently closes and a written request is received within 90 days
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Napa County’s permit cost compares
At about $164/year, Napa County’s restaurant health permit is below the California median ($491) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 67% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 3rd-lowest of 40 California 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 337 food & drinking establishments serve ~133,216 residents in Napa County — one per ~395 residents, denser than the California average (one per ~491).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$164 annual health permit + $329 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
Napa's retail food permits are administered by the Environmental Health Division within Planning, Building & Environmental Services (PBES), not a stand-alone health department
Food facility annual fees are flat by risk (Low $480 / Medium $990 / High $1,673); hourly rate is $165 ($177.34 with the 7.5% General Plan surcharge)
Temporary Food Facilities: Single High Risk Event $411; Single Low Risk Event $301; Event Organizer 2-20 vendors $617, >20 vendors $1,920; Annual Temporary Event (Food) $617; Farmer's Market Organizer $274
Cottage Food Operations: Class A $274, Class B $288. Bed & Breakfast: without water system $494, with water system $548
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Caterer
Included in the Food Facility annual permit (Low $480 / Medium $990 / High $1,673) when all food preparation is at the permitted facility; caterers using an out-of-county commissary pay an additional $164
Napa County PBES Environmental Health Fee Resolution Part 110, Sec; 110.030 (fee as of 07/01/2026)
Temporary / seasonal event
Single High Risk Event $411; Single Low Risk Event $301; Temp Food Event Organizer 2-20 vendors $617, >20 vendors $1,920; Annual Temporary Event (Food) $617; Farmer's Market Organizer $274
Temporary Food Facilities and Events schedule (fee as of 07/01/2026)
Pushcart / mobile vending
Mobile Food Facilities annual: Low $246; Medium $329; High $765
Covers mobile food preparation units and stationary mobile food preparation units
Equipment your Napa 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.
By risk: Low Risk $480; Medium Risk $990; High Risk $1,673 per year; Caterer using an out-of-county commissary: additional $164. (Fee as of 07/01/2026); source https://www.napacounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/35648/Fee-Resolution-Part-110---Environmental-Health These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Napa County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: New Construction and Remodel: Low Risk $617 (incl; 2 inspections); Medium Risk $1,276 (incl; 2 inspections); High Risk $1,807 (incl; 3 inspections); Additional Inspections $329 each; Minor Remodel $823 (Fee as of 07/01/2026)
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Napa County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Includes mobile food preparation units and stationary mobile food preparation units
Who issues food permits in Napa County?
Food permits here are issued by Napa County Planning, Building & Environmental Services (PBES), Environmental Health Division. 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