Nevada County Environmental Health Department (Community Development Agency) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Nevada County food-facility health permits run about $238.20–$1,191 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $238.20–$1,905.60. Confirm the exact amount with Nevada County Environmental Health Department (Community Development Agency) 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 Nevada County Environmental Health Department (Community Development Agency) issues the health permit.
About 223 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 102,037. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Facility Annual Permit
0 Seats $595.50
1-15 Seats $595.50
16-49 Seats $833.70
50-149 Seats $952.80
150+ Seats $1,191.00
Within existing market $238.20
Tiered by seating capacity; Permit year runs November 1; October 31; invoices sent end of September
MFF fees are on a separate Nevada County page (not captured on the Food Facilities fee list); annual seated-restaurant tiers above are complete
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 Nevada County’s permit cost compares
At about $238/year, Nevada County’s restaurant health permit is below the California median ($491) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 78% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 7th-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 223 food & drinking establishments serve ~102,037 residents in Nevada County — one per ~458 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 ~$238 annual health permit + $238 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.
Equipment your Nevada 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.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Confirm whether Nevada 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 Nevada County?
0 Seats $595.50; 1-15 Seats $595.50; 16-49 Seats $833.70; 50-149 Seats $952.80; 150+ Seats $1,191.00; Within existing market $238.20 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Nevada County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Major Plan Check $1,905.60 (8-hr); Minor Plan Check $714.60 (3-hr); New Business Advisory $476.40; time beyond allotted at $238.20/hour
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Nevada County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. MFF fees are on a separate Nevada County page (not captured on the Food Facilities fee list); annual seated-restaurant tiers above are complete
Who issues food permits in Nevada County?
Food permits here are issued by Nevada County Environmental Health Department (Community Development Agency). 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