Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Vermilion County food-facility health permits run about $200–$350 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $100–$250. Confirm the exact amount with Vermilion 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 Vermilion County Health Department issues the health permit.
About 133 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 71,652. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
Class 1 Annual Food Service Permit
Class 1A (High Risk):
$350
Class 1B (Moderate Risk): $275
Class 1C (Low Risk): $200
Annual permit by risk class; Also: Class 1D Schools $60; 1E Schools (limited prep) $35; 1F Food Pantry $0; 1G Vending $50-$100. Late fee $25 after Dec 15; reinstatement $50 after Dec 31. CFPM required during food prep
How inspection results are scored/posted here is pending verification — ask the department.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Service
$125 (Class 2 Seasonal, <
6 months) or annual Class 1 fee by risk if year-round
Mobile food services operating year-round obtain a Class 1 annual permit (fee by risk category); those operating <6 months qualify for the Class 2 Seasonal permit ($125)
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 Vermilion County’s permit cost compares
At about $200/year, Vermilion County’s restaurant health permit is above the Illinois median ($125) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 77% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 54th-lowest of 62 Illinois 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 133 food & drinking establishments serve ~71,652 residents in Vermilion County — one per ~539 residents, sparser than the Illinois average (one per ~483).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$200 annual health permit + $100 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 Vermilion 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.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Confirm whether Vermilion 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 Vermilion County?
Class 1A (High Risk): $350; Class 1B (Moderate Risk): $275; Class 1C (Low Risk): $200 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Vermilion County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: New construction: $250; Remodels: $100
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Vermilion County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile food services operating year-round obtain a Class 1 annual permit (fee by risk category); those operating <6 months qualify for the Class 2 Seasonal permit ($125)
Who issues food permits in Vermilion County?
Food permits here are issued by Vermilion 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.
Published by Resultex Media Group LLC · Independent & vendor-neutral · Educational only, not legal or engineering advice · Last verified September 2026