Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Washington County food-facility health permits run about $75–$125 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Confirm the exact amount with Washington 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 Washington County Health Department issues the health permit.
About 29 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 28,205. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
$75 (1-10 employees)
$125 (11 or more employees)
Per the department's published Schedule of Fees; Temporary food service $35; late fee $35
Department handles mobile food vendor applications, but no separate mobile fee is listed on the fee schedule (only food establishment and temporary food service fees)
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 Washington County’s permit cost compares
At about $75/year, Washington County’s restaurant health permit is below the Indiana median ($100) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 29% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 13th-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 29 food & drinking establishments serve ~28,205 residents in Washington County — one per ~973 residents, sparser than the Indiana average (one per ~577).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$75 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.
Equipment your Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County?
$75 (1-10 employees); $125 (11 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 Washington County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility.
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Washington County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Department handles mobile food vendor applications, but no separate mobile fee is listed on the fee schedule (only food establishment and temporary food service fees)
Who issues food permits in Washington County?
Food permits here are issued by Washington 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