Local permits & fees

Wood County, OH Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

Wood County Health Department, Environmental Health Division · 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 Wood County Health Department, Environmental Health Division issues the health permit.

About 307 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 132,650. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Service Operation (FSO) / Retail Food Establishment (RFE) License

annual license fee is risk-level-based (Level 1, 2, 3, 4) per Ohio cost methodology (OAC 3717-1) but the dollar amounts are not published on the WCHD website
department instructs applicants to obtain the current fee schedule by contacting Environmental Health (419-354-2702)

Ohio distinguishes an FSO (food prepared/served in individual portions) from an RFE (retail sale of packaged/prepared food, e.g; grocery, gas station); Both are risk-classified Level 1-4; risk level determines the fee; License purchased after a pre-licensing inspection; Licensing year Mar 1; Feb 28/29

Plan review — required

Micromarket $100.00
Level 1 &
2 and upgrades $200.00
Level 3 &
4 $400.00
Large (25,000 sq
ft.) $500.00
Mobile Food Units
no plan review fee

Turnaround: Plans reviewed within 30 days of a complete submission; approval expires 1 year after issuance

Plan-review details & forms →

Reach the department

Phone(419) 354-2702

EmailWCHDEnviron@woodcountyohio.gov

Office1840 East Gypsy Lane Rd, Bowling Green, OH 43402

Websitewoodcountyhealth.org →

Plan reviewwoodcountyhealth.org →

Inspection grading

Routine inspection — no public letter grade

Ohio local health districts inspect under the Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code (risk-based, critical/non-critical violations); no letter grade or score.

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food License

annual mobile license fee not published on WCHD website (no plan review fee for mobile units per plan review packet)
contact Environmental Health for the current amount

Mobile units complete a Mobile Plan Review Application; no plan review fee is charged for mobile units

How to apply

Forms & applications →

Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.

Local food-service market

About 307 food & drinking establishments serve ~132,650 residents in Wood County — one per ~432 residents, denser than the Ohio average (one per ~574).

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

Watch out for

License types issued: Food Service License, Retail Food Establishment License, Temporary Food License, Mobile Food License, Vending Machine License, Micro Market License
2026 Temporary Food License fee: $96.32 (effective 11/25/2025, cost subject to change); temp licenses valid max 5 consecutive days, one per location
Wood County residents may buy one temporary license to operate the full 10-day Wood County Fair; non-residents must pay for two
FSO/RFE dollar fees are not posted online; the county sets them annually by board resolution using the Ohio cost-analysis method

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Temporary / seasonal event	$96.32	2026 Temporary Food License (effective 11/25/2025, subject to change); valid max 5 consecutive days, one per location; Wood County residents may use one temp license for the full 10-day county fair; non-residents pay for two
Pushcart / mobile vending	Mobile Food License annual fee not published on WCHD site (no plan review fee for mobile units); contact Environmental Health 419-354-2702	Mobile units complete a Mobile Plan Review Application
Grocery / market with deli	licensed as an Ohio Retail Food Establishment (RFE); risk-level (Level 1-4) fee is not published online	RFE covers grocery/market/convenience retail food; risk level determines the fee

Equipment your Wood 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 Wood County with its neighbors.

Hancock County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

Henry County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Lucas County, OH

Restaurant permit: $292

Ottawa County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Putnam County, OH

Restaurant permit: $28

Sandusky County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

Seneca County, OH

Restaurant permit: See page

How to open: typical permitting sequence

This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.

Confirm whether Wood 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.

Official plan-check requirements: plan-check guide →

Frequently asked questions

How much is a food permit in Wood County?

annual license fee is risk-level-based (Level 1, 2, 3, 4) per Ohio cost methodology (OAC 3717-1) but the dollar amounts are not published on the WCHD website; department instructs applicants to obtain the current fee schedule by contacting Environmental Health (419-354-2702) These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in Wood County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Micromarket $100.00; Level 1 & 2 and upgrades $200.00; Level 3 & 4 $400.00; Large (25,000 sq; ft.) $500.00; Mobile Food Units; no plan review fee

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Wood County?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Mobile units complete a Mobile Plan Review Application; no plan review fee is charged for mobile units

Who issues food permits in Wood County?

Food permits here are issued by Wood 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.

Ohio 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: woodcountyhealth.org · woodcountyhealth.org · woodcountyhealth.org · woodcountyhealth.org · observed 2026-08-07