Local permits & fees

St. Francois County, MO Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

St. Francois County Health Center, Environmental Health Department · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the 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 St. Francois County Health Center, Environmental Health Department issues the health permit.

About 128 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 67,058. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Establishment Permit

St; Francois County charges no food establishment fee; Page states 'There is no fee for inspections' and, for new establishments, 'There are no fees or permits required.' Pre-approval consultation recommended before opening; (573-431-1947)

Plan review — not required

Reach the department

Phone(573) 431-1947

EmailLINDA.RAGSDALE@SFCHEALTH.ORG

Office1025 W. Main, Park Hills, MO 63601

Websitesfchc.org →

Inspection grading

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

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Establishment

Mobile food trucks/trailers/carts require pre-approval but 'There are no fees or permits required.'

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.

Local food-service market

About 128 food & drinking establishments serve ~67,058 residents in St. Francois County — one per ~524 residents, denser than the Missouri average (one per ~610).

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

Equipment your St. Francois 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 St. Francois County with its neighbors.

Iron County, MO

Restaurant permit: See page

Jefferson County, MO

Restaurant permit: $125

Madison County, MO

Restaurant permit: See page

Perry County, MO

Restaurant permit: See page

Ste. Genevieve County, MO

Restaurant permit: See page

Washington County, MO

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 St. Francois 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 St. Francois County?

$0 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in St. Francois County?

Plan review is generally not required, but confirm with the department. Typical fees: $0

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in St. Francois County?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile food trucks/trailers/carts require pre-approval but 'There are no fees or permits required.'

Who issues food permits in St. Francois County?

Food permits here are issued by St. Francois County Health Center, Environmental 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.

Missouri 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: sfchc.org · observed 2026-08-21