Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) - Food & Consumer Safety Bureau; licenses statewide (Polk County is a contract inspection jurisdiction). State fee schedule. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Polk County food-facility health permits run about $150–$400 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Confirm the exact amount with Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) - Food & Consumer Safety Bureau; licenses statewide (Polk County is a contract inspection jurisdiction). State fee schedule. 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 Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) - Food & Consumer Safety Bureau; licenses statewide (Polk County is a contract inspection jurisdiction). State fee schedule. issues the health permit.
About 1,109 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 505,255. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 License (state DIAL)
$150 (annual gross sales <
$100,000) / $300 ($100,000-$500,000) / $400 (>
$500,000)
State fee schedule (Iowa Code Ch; 137F / IAC 481-30.7); New applications and renewals that don't report prior-year gross sales pay the maximum $400. At least one certified food protection manager (CFPM) required
Plan review — required
Iowa charges no fee for plan review (per DIAL / contract-county guidance)
plan review is still required for new construction or remodels affecting food prep
Iowa DIAL Food Safety (Polk County is a contract jurisdiction) inspects under the Iowa Food Code (priority/priority-foundation/core violations); no letter grade. Reports posted online.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Unit License (state DIAL)
$250 per year (single statewide license)
Licensed in the county where the unit is stored and serviced (not necessarily where it operates); Commissary/base of operations required
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Polk County’s permit cost compares
At about $150/year, Polk County’s restaurant health permit is about the Iowa median ($150) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 66% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 77th-lowest of 99 Iowa 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 1,109 food & drinking establishments serve ~505,255 residents in Polk County — one per ~456 residents, denser than the Iowa average (one per ~549).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$150 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.
Watch out for
State DIAL fee schedule applies statewide; Polk County performs inspections under contract with DIAL
No fee is charged for plan review in Iowa (review still required for new/remodeled prep facilities)
Mobile food units get a single $250/yr statewide license (one license, one inspection process)
At least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) required; new licensing system SAFHER launches Oct 2026
State DIAL Retail Food Establishment fee tiers (grocery/market); distinct from the Food Service Establishment (restaurant) tiers
Pushcart / mobile vending
$250 per year (Mobile Food Unit license, statewide)
Single statewide DIAL license; licensed in the county where the unit is stored/serviced
Temporary / seasonal event
confirm with DIAL Food & Consumer Safety (515-281-6538 / FCS-Licensing@dia.iowa.gov)
Related low-volume categories: Unattended Food Establishment $75-$150 by sales; Vending Machine license $50 first machine + $10 each additional
Equipment your Polk 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.
$150 (annual gross sales < $100,000) / $300 ($100,000-$500,000) / $400 (> $500,000) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Polk County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Iowa charges no fee for plan review (per DIAL / contract-county guidance); plan review is still required for new construction or remodels affecting food prep; Apply at least 30 days before opening
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Polk County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Licensed in the county where the unit is stored and serviced (not necessarily where it operates); Commissary/base of operations required
Who issues food permits in Polk County?
Food permits here are issued by Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) - Food & Consumer Safety Bureau; licenses statewide (Polk County is a contract inspection jurisdiction). State fee schedule.. 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