Washington County, UT Food Facility Permits & Fees
Restaurants and food trucks.
Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Washington County food-facility health permits run about $220–$660 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $400–$660. Confirm the exact amount with Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) 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 Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) issues the health permit.
About 368 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 202,452. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 (by risk category)
$220 (Risk Cat 1), $325 (Risk Cat 2), $450 (Risk Cat 3), $660 (Risk Cat 4) per year
Annual permit priced by food-safety risk category; Fee schedule effective May 1, 2026. A $220 Conditional Permit is also available; Food Handler card $25 (valid 3 yrs)
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 $220/year, Washington County’s restaurant health permit is below the Utah median ($250) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 78% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 13th-lowest of 29 Utah 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 368 food & drinking establishments serve ~202,452 residents in Washington County — one per ~550 residents, denser than the Utah average (one per ~589).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$220 annual health permit + $400 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.
Watch out for
Full published fee schedule effective May 1, 2026 (swuhealth.gov/fees)
SWUPHD serves five SW Utah counties incl; Washington County (St; George); office at 620 S 400 E, St; George
Institution permit $190; School Kitchen $270; Home Daycare (limited inspection) $130
Utah state rule caps the food-handler permit fee at $15 to a local health dept, but SWUPHD's food-handler CARD/training is $25 (valid 3 years)
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Temporary / seasonal event
$60 (single event, Risk/Tier 1) or $85 (single event, Risk/Tier 2), each +$25 if issued on-site; $125 (seasonal 6-month, Tier 1) or $180 (seasonal 6-month, Tier 2)
SWUPHD fee schedule effective May 1, 2026
Pushcart / mobile vending
$350 (Mobile Primary, Tier 1) or $500 (Mobile Primary, Tier 2) per year; plus $380 mobile plan review
Tier reflects menu/risk complexity
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.
$220 (Risk Cat 1), $325 (Risk Cat 2), $450 (Risk Cat 3), $660 (Risk Cat 4) per year 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. Typical fees: $400 (Risk Cat 1 or 2); $660 (Risk Cat 3 or 4)
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. Tier reflects menu complexity/risk; St; George/Washington County food-truck line (435) 986-2584
Who issues food permits in Washington County?
Food permits here are issued by Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD). 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