Local permits & fees

Washington County, MD Food Facility Permits

Restaurants and food trucks.

Washington County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the 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, Division of Environmental Health issues the health permit.

About 298 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 155,813. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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

Permit to Operate a Food Service Facility

Fee not published online — contact the department.

Priority-based permit per COMAR 10.15.03; annual license fee amounts are not published on the county site (application PDF lists no fee); Contact Environmental Health 240-313-3400 or wchd.eh@maryland.gov for exact figures

Plan review — required

$100 new food service facility
$50 remodel of pre-existing/closed facility

Reach the department

Phone240-313-3400

Emailwchd.eh@maryland.gov

Office1302 Pennsylvania Avenue, 2nd Floor, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Websitewashcohealth.org →

Inspection grading

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

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit / Special Temporary Food Service Facility

$25

Temporary event food vendor permit $25 (submit >=7 days prior; non-profits with 501(c)(3) exempt); Separate Mobile Food Unit packet exists; mobile fee not published

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.

Local food-service market

About 298 food & drinking establishments serve ~155,813 residents in Washington County — one per ~523 residents, denser than the Maryland average (one per ~563).

U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).

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.

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 Washington County with its neighbors.

Allegany County, MD

Restaurant permit: $100

Frederick County, MD

Restaurant permit: $145

Franklin County, PA

Restaurant permit: $82

Fulton County, PA

Restaurant permit: $82

Loudoun County, VA

Restaurant permit: $40

Berkeley County, WV

Restaurant permit: $125

Jefferson County, WV

Restaurant permit: $125

Morgan County, WV

Restaurant permit: $125

How to open: typical permitting sequence

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

Is plan review required in Washington County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $100 new food service facility; $50 remodel of pre-existing/closed 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. Temporary event food vendor permit $25 (submit >=7 days prior; non-profits with 501(c)(3) exempt); Separate Mobile Food Unit packet exists; mobile fee not published

Who issues food permits in Washington County?

Food permits here are issued by Washington County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health. 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.

Maryland 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: washcohealth.org · washcohealth.org · washcohealth.org · observed 2026-08-21