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San Mateo County

San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services

In short

San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services issues 13 permits we publish for San Mateo County, last verified 2026-10-09. Each carries the fee as the agency publishes it, with a link to the schedule it was read from.

What this agency issues

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Mobile Food Facility PermitSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe annual permit fee, which differs for a pre-packaged cart, a limited-preparation unit, a pre-packaged truck and a mobile food preparation unit, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.annual2026-10-09
Retail Food Facility Health PermitSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe annual permit fee, which varies by facility type (restaurant, coffee house or bar, market, retail store with incidental food, caterer or commissary), seating or floor area and risk category, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.annual (Ordinance Code §5.64.060(a))2026-10-09
Food Facility Plan Checkonly if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe plan check fee, which differs for a minor remodel, a major project by floor area and an equipment change, with additional review billed at the EHS hourly rate, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.per project (one-time)2026-10-09
Temporary Event / Temporary Food Facility Permitonly if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe per-event fee, charged to each food booth by risk category (pre-packaged, or with on-site preparation) and to the event coordinator by number of booths, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.per event2026-10-09
Public Pool / Spa Permitonly if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe annual permit fee, charged per pool and per spa, with separate lines for additional pools or spas, high-use pools and new-construction plan review, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.annual2026-10-09
Body Art Facility Permit and Practitioner Registrationonly if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe fee, charged separately for a new establishment application, the annual establishment permit and each practitioner registration, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.1 year; renewed annually (EHS Permanent Body Art Facility page)2026-10-09
Massage Business County Registration Certificate (unincorporated area)only if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesOrdinance Code §5.44.040(e): 'There shall be no fee for the registration Application or certificate, or any amendment or renewal thereof.' The section allows the county to charge for health and safety inspections; the annual massage business inspection fee is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule (Ordinance 4901, adjusted each January 1). Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200, for the current inspection fee.2 years from issuance (Ordinance Code §5.44.040(b)); renew no less than 30 days before expiration2026-10-09
Tobacco Retailer Permit (unincorporated area and participating cities)only if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesOrdinance Code §4.98.240 requires tobacco retailers to pay fees 'at the rates set forth in section 5.64.070', which refers to the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule (Ordinance 4901, adjusted each January 1); the schedule carries a new-application fee and an annual permit fee. Contact the EHS Tobacco Program, (650) 372-6200, or apply through the MyEHS portal, for the current amounts.1 year; renewed annually (Ordinance Code §4.98.110(b))2026-10-09
Medical Waste Generator Registration / Permitonly if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe fee, which depends on the generator tier (Tier I one-time registration, Tier II small quantity generator, Tier III large quantity generator), is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.annual for small and large quantity generators; Tier I registration is one-time2026-10-09
Hazardous Materials Business Plan Permit (CUPA)only if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe annual permit fee, tiered by the quantity of hazardous materials stored (low hazard or multi-program, then by gallons), is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.annual2026-10-09
Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (CUPA)only if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe annual permit fee, tiered by the volume of hazardous waste generated each year, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.annual2026-10-09
Underground Storage Tank / Aboveground Petroleum Storage Permit (CUPA)only if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesThe annual fee, charged for the first underground tank and each additional tank, and for aboveground petroleum storage by tier of total capacity, is set by the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services fee schedule, approved by the Board of Supervisors under Ordinance 4901 and Ordinance Code §5.64.070 and adjusted automatically each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Contact Environmental Health Services, (650) 372-6200 or envhealth@smcgov.org, or see its Environmental Health Services Fees page, for the current amount.annual2026-10-09
Child Day Care Food Service — outside the Retail Food Code permitonly if it applies to youSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health ServicesNo feenot applicable — under Health & Safety Code §113789(c)(8) a child day care facility is not a food facility2026-10-09

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

About each permit

Mobile Food Facility Permit

The EHS Mobile Food Facilities page says Environmental Health Services 'is responsible for the inspection of various types of Mobile Food Facilities', listing mobile food preparation units, hot dog and espresso carts, limited food vehicles, push carts, food trucks and ice cream trucks, and that its Vehicle Inspection Program 'conducts annual certification and complaince inspections of MFFs', which 'may involve commissaries that service these MFFs'. The permit is annual and its fee depends on the unit type, under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule that adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. A truck operating on County roads in the unincorporated area also needs the $200 County License Board license under Chapter 5.52, and one based in County Fire's service area needs County Fire's annual operational permit for mobile food preparation vehicles.

Retail Food Facility Health Permit

Health & Safety Code §114381 provides that 'A food facility shall not be open for business without a valid permit' and that the permit 'shall be issued by the enforcement agency'; Environmental Health Services is that agency across San Mateo County, so a restaurant, coffee shop, market or retail store selling food needs its EHS permit whether it is in a city or the unincorporated area. Separately, Ordinance Code §5.68.020 requires a county permit for 'a restaurant, retail food vehicle, vending machine or bakery in unincorporated areas of the County'. Fees are charged annually under Chapter 5.64; §5.64.060(c) halves the fee for a seasonal business open six months or less, §5.64.060(e) exempts businesses run by certified blind operators and charitable operations, and §5.64.160 adds a penalty for payment more than 30 days late. The fee schedule is approved by the Board of Supervisors and, under Ordinance 4901, adjusts automatically each January 1; EHS states the current amount for a given facility type.

Food Facility Plan Check

Building a new food facility or remodelling one anywhere in the county takes Environmental Health plan check before the retail food permit is issued. Ordinance Code §5.64.070 states that the EHS fee 'shall also be charged upon review of plans for new construction, renovation or remodeling of food facilities, mobile food facilities', public swimming areas and other regulated facilities. The fee depends on the scope of the project (minor remodel, major project by floor area, or an equipment change), with further review billed hourly, under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule that adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. The plan check is separate from the building permit that the city, or for an unincorporated site the county Planning and Building Department, requires for the same work.

Temporary Event / Temporary Food Facility Permit

The EHS Temporary Events page says that 'county fairs, city festivals, street events and other events open to the general public are to be approved and permitted by San Mateo County Environmental Health Services', and that a health permit is required 'whenever food or beverage (prepackaged or unpackaged) is sampled, sold, prepared or given away to the public'. Each vendor completes a risk-category application and gives it with the fee to the event coordinator, who submits the coordinator application and all vendor applications and fees 'as one packet' at least 14 calendar days before the event; the page warns that a late packet is subject to late penalties or denial. Fees are per event under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule that adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. The page also tells coordinators to contact ABC, the fire department and planning or building departments for their own approvals.

Public Pool / Spa Permit

A gym or fitness studio that operates a pool or spa for members or the public holds an annual permit from Environmental Health Services' Pool (Recreational Health) Program, and a new pool or spa goes through EHS plan review before construction; §5.64.070 lists 'public swimming areas, hot tubs' among the plan reviews that carry an EHS fee. The program page states that school, hotel, apartment, condominium and homeowner association pools 'are considered public and are inspected by Environmental Health Services staff twice each year'. A studio without a pool or spa has no pool permit. The fee is per pool or spa under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule that adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901, and EHS acts countywide.

Body Art Facility Permit and Practitioner Registration

A salon or studio offering tattooing, body piercing or permanent cosmetics needs a permanent body art facility health permit from Environmental Health Services, and each person doing the work registers as a practitioner. The EHS Permanent Body Art Facility page says that facilities 'shall comply with Article 4 starting with Section 119312 of California's Safe Body Art Law', that applications go to EHS by email, fax or mail, and that 'Health Permits are valid for one year and must be renewed annually'; the permit must be prominently displayed. A salon offering only hair, nail or skin services without body art has no body art permit. Fees are under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule that adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901, and the program applies countywide.

Massage Business County Registration Certificate (unincorporated area)

Ordinance Code §5.44.030 makes it unlawful for a business 'to provide massage for compensation within the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County' unless everyone performing massage is a CAMTC-certified practitioner and the business holds a County Registration Certificate. The EHS Massage Establishment Inspection Program page confirms that EHS 'is responsible for inspecting massage businesses in unincorporated areas of San Mateo County' and tells a business elsewhere to contact its own municipality. The certificate is valid for two years and must be renewed no less than 30 days before it expires; the facility is inspected at least once a year, and personnel changes are reported within 96 hours. Under §5.44.080, licensed barbers and cosmetologists are exempt when massaging only the neck, face, scalp, hands or feet of clients, so a salon offering only that is outside the chapter.

Tobacco Retailer Permit (unincorporated area and participating cities)

The EHS Tobacco Program page says it issues tobacco retailer permits 'for any tobacco retailer who sells any tobacco products in unincorporated areas and in participating cities'. Under Ordinance Code §4.98.310 the county may enforce Chapter 4.98 inside a city whose council adopts the chapter and authorizes the county to enforce it; a retailer in a city should confirm with EHS whether that city participates. Section 4.98.110 requires a permit for each location, valid for one year and renewed annually, and the page states that permits are non-transferable. The ordinance (Ord. 4878, approved 23 May 2023) prohibits sales of flavored tobacco and e-cigarette products and bars new permits within 1,000 feet of a youth-populated area, within 500 feet of another tobacco retailer, at non-fixed locations and at temporary events. Permitted retailers receive at least two unannounced inspections a year.

Medical Waste Generator Registration / Permit

The EHS Medical Waste for Business page sorts medical waste generators into three tiers that set the 'Fee structure', 'Payment frequency', permit distribution and inspection frequency. It lists 'veterinary clinics, veterinary offices, veterinary hospitals' among typical Tier II Small Quantity Generators (less than 200 lbs. per month); Tier III Large Quantity Generators produce 200 lbs. or more per month, and Tier I offices 'pay a one-time fee with registration'. To register, a business submits the Medical Waste Registration Form and a Medical Waste Management Plan to EHS by email (envhealth@smcgov.org), fax or mail. Fees are under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule that adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901, and the program applies countywide.

Hazardous Materials Business Plan Permit (CUPA)

San Mateo County Environmental Health Services' CUPA page says EHS 'was designated by the State Secretary for Environmental Protection as the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for San Mateo County in 1996', and that a facility regulated under any CUPA program must 'obtain a permit by registering your facility with San Mateo County Environmental Health Services'; reports are filed electronically through the state's CERS system. An auto-repair shop or a contractor's yard storing fuels, oils, solvents or compressed gases at or above the state thresholds files a Hazardous Materials Business Plan, as does a restaurant or coffee shop whose carbon dioxide beverage system reaches the threshold. The annual fee is tiered by quantity stored under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule, which adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Because the CUPA is countywide, the permit comes from EHS in every city and the unincorporated area.

Hazardous Waste Generator Permit (CUPA)

A business that generates hazardous waste — used oil, solvents and parts-washer waste at an auto-repair shop, chemical waste at a salon or veterinary practice, or paint and fuel waste at a contractor's yard — registers with the Hazardous Waste Generator Program of San Mateo County Environmental Health Services, which the EHS CUPA page lists among the countywide CUPA programs. The annual fee is tiered by the volume of waste generated each year under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule, which adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901. Ordinance Code §5.64.060(e) lets the Director of Environmental Health exempt a County/State sanctioned public used-oil drop-off centre from applicable hazardous waste generator fees. Because the CUPA is countywide, the permit comes from EHS in every city and the unincorporated area.

Underground Storage Tank / Aboveground Petroleum Storage Permit (CUPA)

An auto-repair shop or contractor with an underground fuel or waste-oil tank needs an Underground Storage Tank permit, and one storing petroleum in aboveground tanks at or above the state threshold falls under the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act program; the EHS CUPA page lists both among the countywide CUPA programs it runs. Underground tanks are charged for the first tank and each additional tank, and aboveground storage by tier of total capacity, under the Board-approved EHS fee schedule, which adjusts each January 1 under Ordinance 4901; §5.64.070 also charges the EHS fee for plan review of new or modified tanks. Because the CUPA is countywide, the permit comes from EHS in every city and the unincorporated area.

Child Day Care Food Service — outside the Retail Food Code permit

No fee applies. Health & Safety Code §113789(c)(8) provides that 'Food facility' does not include 'A child day care facility, as defined in Section 1596.750', so under that statute a licensed child day care facility serving meals or snacks to the children in its care needs no retail food facility permit from Environmental Health Services, which §114381 requires only of food facilities. Food safety at a child day care facility is part of its state license from the California Department of Social Services. A business that also sells food to the public, such as a cafe run alongside a centre, is a food facility for that operation and needs the retail food permit. A centre inside San Mateo County Fire's service area still has the County Fire care-facility inspection.

Contact

Jurisdiction
San Mateo County
Phone
(650) 372-6200

Contact details are taken from the agency’s own site or its published fee schedule. Where we have not verified a phone number we leave it blank rather than guess.

Sources

Every fee and term above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.

  1. Body Art ProgramSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  2. California Health and Safety Code §113713 (enforcement agency)California Legislative Information · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  3. California Health and Safety Code §113789 (definition of food facility)California Legislative Information · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  4. California Health and Safety Code section 114381 — food facility permit required, fee determined by the local governing bodyCalifornia Legislative Information · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-03
  5. Environmental Health Services FeesSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  6. Food Facility Plan Check ProcessSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  7. Food ProgramSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  8. Hazardous Materials Program / Countywide Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA)San Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  9. Massage Establishment Inspection ProgramSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  10. Medical Waste for BusinessSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  11. Mobile Food FacilitiesSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  12. Ordinance No. 4901 — amending the Environmental Health Services fee schedule and authorizing automatic annual adjustment (adopted 10 December 2024)San Mateo County Board of Supervisors · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  13. Permanent Body Art Facility InformationSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  14. Pool (Recreational Health) ProgramSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  15. San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 4.98 — Tobacco Retailer PermitCounty of San Mateo / Municode · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  16. San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 5.44 — Massage BusinessesCounty of San Mateo / Municode · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  17. San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 5.64 — Fees for Enforcement of State Public Health LawsCounty of San Mateo / Municode · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  18. San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 5.68 — Food EstablishmentsCounty of San Mateo / Municode · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  19. Temporary EventsSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  20. Tobacco ProgramSan Mateo County Health, Environmental Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09

Other offices serving San Mateo County

The full permit list for this jurisdiction

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