Local permits & fees

Shelby County, OH Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

Sidney-Shelby County Health Department · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Shelby County food-facility health permits run about $28–$1,128 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $50. Confirm the exact amount with Sidney-Shelby County Health Department 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 Sidney-Shelby County Health Department issues the health permit.

About 82 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 47,765. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Service Operation / Retail Food Establishment License

Less than 25,000 sq ft:

Level 1 $278, Level 2 $328, Level 3 $478, Level 4 $578
25,000 sq ft and over: Level 1 $328, Level 2 $378, Level 3 $1,078, Level 4 $1,128 (total, incl
$28 state)

Risk Level 1-4 by square footage tier; Effective 2026 licensing period (revised 01/14/2026); Renewal due March 1; late fee 25% of local fee

Plan review — required

Facility Layout &
Equipment Review $50.00/hour (minimum $50 deposit)

Reach the department

Phone419-342-5226

Office43 W. Main Street, Shelby, OH 44875

Websiteshelbycountyhealthdept.org →

Inspection grading

How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile FSO/RFE

High Risk Mobile $278.00
Low Risk Mobile $153.00 (total)

Temporary $40.00/day (not to exceed 5 consecutive days); Vending $21.45

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 Shelby County’s permit cost compares

At about $28/year, Shelby County’s restaurant health permit is about the Ohio median ($28) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 3% of U.S. counties.

Ranked 32nd-lowest of 54 Ohio 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 82 food & drinking establishments serve ~47,765 residents in Shelby County — one per ~582 residents, sparser than the Ohio average (one per ~574).

U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).

Budget the permit stack

Start with ~$28 annual health permit + $50 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 Shelby 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.

Compartment sinks

3-bay wash / rinse / sanitize — sized to your menu

Hand sinks

required in prep, cook & warewashing areas

Grease traps / interceptors

sized by drainage fixture units

Reach-in refrigeration

cold-holding at 41°F or below

Work tables & surfaces

NSF-listed, non-absorbent

Hoods & ventilation

over cooking equipment; make-up air

Dishwashers

high-temp or chemical sanitizing

Nearby counties

Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Shelby County with its neighbors.

Auglaize County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Champaign County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

Darke County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Logan County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Mercer County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Miami County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

How to open: typical permitting sequence

This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.

Confirm whether Shelby 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 Shelby County?

Less than 25,000 sq ft: Level 1 $278, Level 2 $328, Level 3 $478, Level 4 $578; 25,000 sq ft and over: Level 1 $328, Level 2 $378, Level 3 $1,078, Level 4 $1,128 (total, incl; $28 state) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in Shelby County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Facility Layout & Equipment Review $50.00/hour (minimum $50 deposit)

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Shelby County?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Temporary $40.00/day (not to exceed 5 consecutive days); Vending $21.45

Who issues food permits in Shelby County?

Food permits here are issued by Sidney-Shelby County Health Department. 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.

Ohio statewide rules

Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.

What equipment you need

Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.

Permits & plan review, explained

The stack of approvals before you open.

Sources: shelbycountyhealthdept.org · shelbycountyhealthdept.org · observed 2026-08-21