Union County Environmental Health - Food, Lodging & Institutions Program · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Union County food-facility health permits run about $250 annually. Plan review runs about $75–$250. Confirm the exact amount with Union County Environmental Health - Food, Lodging & Institutions Program 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 Union County Environmental Health - Food, Lodging & Institutions Program issues the health permit.
About 346 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 256,452. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
North Carolina does NOT charge an annual food-establishment operating/permit fee
the state uses a one-time plan-review-fee model
The only up-front county charge is the Food Establishment Plan Review fee of $250.00
NC food/lodging permits are issued at no annual cost after a passing inspection; the state prohibits routine annual permit fees for restaurants; Union County's Environmental Health fee schedule lists a $250 Food Establishment Plan Review fee (charged once for new construction/remodel), not a recurring permit fee
Sanitation score converts to a required grade card — A 90-100, B 80-89, C 70-79 (below 70 cannot operate) — posted at the establishment and available online.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Unit / Pushcart permit (NC Food Code)
$150.00 one-time Mobile Food Unit/Pushcart Plan Review fee
no annual permit fee
Mobile food units and pushcarts must be affiliated with a permitted commissary/base; The $150 plan-review fee is the only county charge; there is no recurring annual permit fee under NC's model
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Union County’s permit cost compares
At about $250/year, Union County’s restaurant health permit is above the North Carolina median ($70) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 82% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 95th-lowest of 95 North Carolina 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 346 food & drinking establishments serve ~256,452 residents in Union County — one per ~741 residents, sparser than the North Carolina average (one per ~598).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$250 annual health permit + $75 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
Administering authority: county (Union County Environmental Health), operating under NC state rules (15A NCAC 18A .2600); Charlotte metro; county seat Monroe
NC PLAN-REVIEW-FEE MODEL confirmed: no annual permit/operating fee for restaurants; revenue comes from one-time plan-review fees
Other Environmental Health food fees: Certified Food Protection Manager class $115, proctored exam $50, permit record request $10, refund processing $25
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Bar / limited food service
$0 annual permit fee; a Limited Food Service Establishment application/plan review is $75.00
NC uses a plan-review-fee model with no recurring annual permit fee; 'Limited/temporary food establishment' application fee is $75
Temporary / seasonal event
$75.00 Temporary/Limited Food Establishment application; no annual permit fee
Union County Environmental Health fee schedule; One-time application charge only
Pushcart / mobile vending
$150.00 one-time Mobile Food Unit/Pushcart Plan Review; no annual permit fee
Mobile units/pushcarts must be tied to a permitted commissary/base; Plan review is the only county charge
Equipment your Union 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.
$0 annual permit fee; North Carolina does NOT charge an annual food-establishment operating/permit fee; the state uses a one-time plan-review-fee model; The only up-front county charge is the Food Establishment Plan Review fee of $250.00 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Union County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Food Establishment Plan Review $250.00; Mobile Food Unit/Pushcart Plan Review $150.00; Temporary/Limited Food Establishment application $75.00
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Union County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile food units and pushcarts must be affiliated with a permitted commissary/base; The $150 plan-review fee is the only county charge; there is no recurring annual permit fee under NC's model
Who issues food permits in Union County?
Food permits here are issued by Union County Environmental Health - Food, Lodging & Institutions Program. 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