City of Worcester Division of Housing & Health Inspections (Department of Inspectional Services), acting as the local Board of Health. In Massachusetts food establishment permitting is MUNICIPAL - each city/town Board of Health issues permits and sets its own fees; Worcester (the county seat and largest city) is shown as representative and fees vary town to town across Worcester County. · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Worcester County food-facility health permits run about $275–$450 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $85–$200. Confirm the exact amount with City of Worcester Division of Housing & Health Inspections (Department of Inspectional Services), acting as the local Board of Health. In Massachusetts food establishment permitting is MUNICIPAL - each city/town Board of Health issues permits and sets its own fees; Worcester (the county seat and largest city) is shown as representative and fees vary town to town across Worcester County. 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 City of Worcester Division of Housing & Health Inspections (Department of Inspectional Services), acting as the local Board of Health. In Massachusetts food establishment permitting is MUNICIPAL - each city/town Board of Health issues permits and sets its own fees; Worcester (the county seat and largest city) is shown as representative and fees vary town to town across Worcester County. issues the health permit.
About 1,723 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 866,866. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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
Permit to Operate a Food Establishment (Food and Drink Establishment), by occupancy
Occupancy 0-100 $275
101-499 $350
500 and above $450
Annual permit, expires December 31; Worcester DIS fee schedule effective March 1, 2024. All food permits include Milk and Frozen Dessert; $200 late fee if renewed after due date; (Worcester CITY figures; other Worcester County municipalities set their own fees.)
Local boards of health inspect under 105 CMR 590 / FDA Food Code; no letter grade; inspection reports are public records posted online by the municipality.
Food truck / mobile permit
Mobile Food Vendor
$250 (a separate Commissary Kitchen permit at $150 is also required for every mobile)
Pushcarts are licensed under the mobile food vendor program; every mobile must have a commissary kitchen permit
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Worcester County’s permit cost compares
At about $275/year, Worcester County’s restaurant health permit is above the Massachusetts median ($162) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 92% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 2nd-lowest of 2 Massachusetts 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 1,723 food & drinking establishments serve ~866,866 residents in Worcester County — one per ~503 residents, sparser than the Massachusetts average (one per ~447).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$275 annual health permit + $85 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
Massachusetts licensing is fully municipal (local Board of Health); the same restaurant would pay a different fee in another Worcester County town; Worcester city is representative only
Retail Food only $175; with Bakery $400; with Bakery and Restaurant $500; Retail Food store >10,000 sq ft $500
Commissary Kitchen $150; Institutional $350; Bakery only $350
Temporary Food Permit 1-15 days $60; over 15 days $195; Seasonal Concessions $75; Catered Event Registration $40
Equipment your Worcester 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.
Occupancy 0-100 $275; 101-499 $350; 500 and above $450 These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Worcester County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Plan Review Fee (new establishments) $200; Establishment Review (change of ownership) $85
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Worcester County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. Pushcarts are licensed under the mobile food vendor program; every mobile must have a commissary kitchen permit
Who issues food permits in Worcester County?
Food permits here are issued by City of Worcester Division of Housing & Health Inspections (Department of Inspectional Services), acting as the local Board of Health. In Massachusetts food establishment permitting is MUNICIPAL - each city/town Board of Health issues permits and sets its own fees; Worcester (the county seat and largest city) is shown as representative and fees vary town to town across Worcester County.. 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