Local permits & fees

Union County, OH Food Facility Permits & Fees

Q: How much is a food permit in Union County?

Commercial 25,000 sq ft: Level I $353, Level II $369, Level III $1,180, Level IV $1,248 (local fee, plus state fee) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Q: 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. Low Risk Mobile RFE = 50% of license fee + state fee; Temporary: commercial $107 + state fee; non-commercial 50% of license fee

Q: Who issues food permits in Union County?

Food permits here are issued by Union County Health Department. See the department site for current details.

Q: 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.

Restaurants and food trucks.

Union County Health Department · department site →

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

Union County food-facility health permits run about $259–$1,248 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $1,000. Confirm the exact amount with Union 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 Union County Health Department issues the health permit.

About 87 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 69,637. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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

Commercial <25,000 sq ft:

Level I $259, Level II $286, Level III $501, Level IV $622
Commercial >
25,000 sq ft: Level I $353, Level II $369, Level III $1,180, Level IV $1,248 (local fee, plus state fee)

Risk Level I-IV, commercial vs non-commercial, by square footage; Non-commercial operations = 50% of commercial fee + state fee; Fees set per ORC 3717.07; state fee (~$28) added to local amounts shown

Plan review — required

50% of license fee + state fee (expedited review <30 days:

$1,000 + 50% of license fee + state fee)

Reach the department

Phone937-642-2053

Emailcontact@uchd.net

Office940 London Avenue, Marysville, OH 43040

Websiteuchd.net →

Inspection grading

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

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit

$239.00 + state fee

Low Risk Mobile RFE = 50% of license fee + state fee; Temporary: commercial $107 + state fee; non-commercial 50% of license fee

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 Union County’s permit cost compares

At about $259/year, Union County’s restaurant health permit is above the Ohio median ($28) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 91% of U.S. counties.

Ranked 50th-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 87 food & drinking establishments serve ~69,637 residents in Union County — one per ~800 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 ~$259 annual health permit + $1,000 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 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.

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 Union County with its neighbors.

Champaign County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

Delaware County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Franklin County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

Hardin County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

Logan County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Madison County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Marion County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

How to open: typical permitting sequence

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

Confirm whether Union 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 Union County?

Commercial <25,000 sq ft: Level I $259, Level II $286, Level III $501, Level IV $622; Commercial >25,000 sq ft: Level I $353, Level II $369, Level III $1,180, Level IV $1,248 (local fee, plus state fee) 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: 50% of license fee + state fee (expedited review <30 days: $1,000 + 50% of license fee + state fee)

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. Low Risk Mobile RFE = 50% of license fee + state fee; Temporary: commercial $107 + state fee; non-commercial 50% of license fee

Who issues food permits in Union County?

Food permits here are issued by Union 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: uchd.net · uchd.net · observed 2026-08-21