Vigo County Health Department, Environmental Health Division · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Vigo County food-facility health permits run about $150–$200 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Confirm the exact amount with Vigo County Health Department, Environmental Health Division 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 Vigo County Health Department, Environmental Health Division issues the health permit.
About 253 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 106,153. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
Restaurant / food-facility permit
Food Establishment Permit
$150.00 (1-15 employees)
$200.00 (16 or more employees)
Fee based on number of employees; Late fee $250.00. Certified Food Handler required on staff; Source: 2024 Vigo County Food Permit Application (vigocounty.in.gov)
Plan review — required
Vigo County uses a mobile/plan review application but does not publish a plan review fee amount online
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Vigo County’s permit cost compares
At about $150/year, Vigo County’s restaurant health permit is above the Indiana median ($100) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 66% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 51st-lowest of 63 Indiana 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 253 food & drinking establishments serve ~106,153 residents in Vigo County — one per ~420 residents, denser than the Indiana average (one per ~577).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$150 annual health permit.
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
Catering add-on: $50.00 (added to base permit fee)
Late fee: $250.00
Located at 147 Oak Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807; 812-462-3281
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Caterer
$50.00 (add-on to base food establishment permit fee)
Catering surcharge added to the employee-based base permit fee
Equipment your Vigo 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.
$150.00 (1-15 employees); $200.00 (16 or more employees) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Vigo County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Vigo County uses a mobile/plan review application but does not publish a plan review fee amount online
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Vigo County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. A Mobile Plan Review Application is available; fee amount not published
Who issues food permits in Vigo County?
Food permits here are issued by Vigo County Health Department, Environmental Health Division. 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