Restaurants and food trucks.
Wyandotte County food-facility health permits run about $250–$1,100 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Confirm the exact amount with Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), Food Safety & Lodging Program (retail food establishments in Kansas are licensed and inspected by the STATE KDA; the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City KS Public Health Department handles local public health and inspects certain prepackaged-food operations but does not license retail food) 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 Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), Food Safety & Lodging Program (retail food establishments in Kansas are licensed and inspected by the STATE KDA; the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City KS Public Health Department handles local public health and inspects certain prepackaged-food operations but does not license retail food) issues the health permit.
About 269 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 165,281. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Application fee is one-time (new applications only); license fee is annual; Licenses run Apr 1-Mar 31 and are NOT prorated; Late renewal fee $25. Statutory maximums are set by K.S.A; 65-688. Category II (bakery/repackaging/RTE meat & cheese) $325 app + $220 license = $545; Category III (self-service beverages, prepackaged/non-TCS, mixed drinks) $275 app + $190 license = $465
Kansas Dept of Agriculture Food Safety & Lodging inspects statewide (incl. Kansas City, KS) under the Kansas Food Code; no letter grade or score. Reports on KDA's online inspection portal.
One KDA license covers the operator statewide; a Mobile Unit Log must accompany the application; a commissary/servicing area is required
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | Licensed by KDA as a food establishment under the category/size schedule; a catering operation that cooks/cools/reheats TCS foods is Category I; under 5,000 sq ft $300 application + $250 license = $550 first year, $250/yr renewal; source https://cdn.marketplaceevents.com/sitefinity/docs/librariesprovider39/exb-kit/food-establishment-license-application.pdf | Kansas caterers are licensed statewide by KDA; category depends on food-handling processes |
| Bakery / food processing | Bakeries fall under Category II: $325 application + $220 license = $545 first year ($220/yr renewal); Larger food processing plants are licensed separately by square footage (license no more than $200 under 5,000 sq ft / $400 at 5,000+ sq ft per K.S.A; 65-688); source https://cdn.marketplaceevents.com/sitefinity/docs/librariesprovider39/exb-kit/food-establishment-license-application.pdf | Retail bakeries are Category II food establishments; wholesale/manufacturing plants use the food-processor schedule |
| Bar / limited food service | Category III (self-service beverages; prepackaged/non-TCS food; mixed drinks): $275 application + $190 license = $465 first year ($190/yr renewal); source https://cdn.marketplaceevents.com/sitefinity/docs/librariesprovider39/exb-kit/food-establishment-license-application.pdf | Bars serving only mixed drinks / prepackaged or non-TCS food are the lowest KDA category |
| Grocery / market with deli | Grocery/convenience stores are licensed as food establishments by square footage; a store that cooks/handles TCS foods is Category I ($550 first year under 5,000 sq ft up to $1,100 over 50,000 sq ft); a prepackaged-only store is Category III ($465 first year); source https://cdn.marketplaceevents.com/sitefinity/docs/librariesprovider39/exb-kit/food-establishment-license-application.pdf | Category depends on whether the store's deli cooks/cools/reheats TCS foods |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | Mobile units are licensed under the same category/size schedule; a cooking mobile unit (Category I, under 5,000 sq ft) is $300 application + $250 license = $550 first year, $250/yr renewal; source https://cdn.marketplaceevents.com/sitefinity/docs/librariesprovider39/exb-kit/food-establishment-license-application.pdf | One KDA license covers the operator statewide; a Mobile Unit Log and a commissary/servicing area are required |
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.
Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Wyandotte County with its neighbors.
This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.
Official plan-check requirements: plan-check guide →