Schenectady County

Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division

In short

Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division issues 8 permits we publish for Schenectady County, last verified 2026-10-27. 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
Permit	Issuing agency	Fee	Renews	Last checked
Food Service Establishment Permit	Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division	$215–$315 per establishment per year, by seating capacity including takeout or stand-up service: "100 or less $215.00", "101 or more $315.00"; plus "FROZEN DESSERT - PHD Sec. 225(5)(s) $ 65.00" where it applies (Permit Fee Determination Schedule); plan review for a new or modified establishment $150 per project (Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule)	annual; the county FAQ states food service establishment permits are "year-round permits that must be renewed annually"	2026-10-27
Catering / Commissary Permitonly if it applies to you	Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division	$365 per operation per year ("CATERERS AND COMMISSARIES" $365.00 in the Permit Fee Determination Schedule; the county FAQ states "Catering permits are $365/year")	annual; the county FAQ states catering permits are "year-round permits that must be renewed annually"	2026-10-27
Mobile Food Service Permit (truck, trailer or pushcart)	Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division	$190–$255 per mobile unit per permit year: "MOBILE FOOD VENDORS $190.00" (Permit Fee Determination Schedule); the county mobile packet states "Payment of $190 for mobile only or $255 for mobile and frozen dessert"; plan review $150 per project (Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule)	from approval to December 31; the Permits page states "Mobile Food Service permits issued are valid from date of approval to December 31st of each year"	2026-10-27
Temporary Food Service Permitonly if it applies to you	Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division	$90 per vendor, per event ("TEMPORARY FOOD SERVICE ... Per booth/event $ 90.00" in the Permit Fee Determination Schedule; the application instructions state "Payment of $90 per vendor")	one event at a fixed location of not more than 14 consecutive days, per the county Food Services FAQ	2026-10-27
Swimming Pool Permitonly if it applies to you	Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division	$215–$265 per pool, by maximum number of bathers at 25 sq. ft. per bather: 1-100 bathers $215.00 x number of pools; 101 or more $265.00 x number of pools (Permit Fee Determination Schedule); plan review for a new or modified pool $250 (100-5,000 sq. ft.) or $400 (5,001 sq. ft. or more) (Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule)	not stated on the county Permits page or fee schedule; the Permits page offers a renewal application	2026-10-27
Body Art Studio Permitonly if it applies to you	Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division	$200 per studio ("Permit Fee $200" on the county Permits page; Permit Fee Determination Schedule item 16a); plan review for a new studio $150 ("BODY ART ESTABLISHMENTS" in the Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule)	up to one year; Sanitary Code §125.07 states the permit is "valid from the date of issuance and shall automatically expire no longer than one (1) year from the date of issuance"	2026-10-27
Body Artist Permit (including Temporary Body Artist Permit)only if it applies to you	Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division	$100–$185 per artist: Body Artist Permit $185; Temporary Body Artist Permit $100 per artist per event, "waived for body artists holding a valid Body Artist permit issued by Schenectady County Environmental Health Division" (Permit Fee Determination Schedule item 16; county Permits page)	up to one year from issuance under Sanitary Code §125.07; the temporary permit covers one event that the county Body Art page describes as lasting 14 days or less, and the code caps a transient practitioner permit at 30 days	2026-10-27
Children's Camp Permitonly if it applies to you	Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division	$215 per camp ("CHILDREN'S CAMPS - PT. 7, State Sanitary Code" $215.00 in the Permit Fee Determination Schedule)	not stated on the county Permits page or fee schedule	2026-10-27

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

Food Service Establishment Permit

A restaurant, take-out or coffee shop in Schenectady County needs a food service establishment permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division. Per the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"), the fee depends on seating capacity "(including takeout or stand-up service)": $215 for 100 or less and $315 for 101 or more, plus $65 for a frozen dessert operation (listed as "FROZEN DESSERT - PHD Sec. 225(5)(s)"). The schedule prints no effective date; Schenectady County Sanitary Code §125.01(I)(2) provides that fees are set and amended by the county legislature by resolution. The county Food Services FAQ states: "Most food service establishment permits are $215/year but increase with seating capacity over 100 or if the operation has a frozen dessert machine," and that these are "year-round permits that must be renewed annually." A new or modified establishment first goes through plan review, at $150 per project per the county's Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule; the county plan review packet states: "All applicable building, electrical and plumbing permits must be secured and satisfied, and zoning approval granted before issuance of a permit from this office." The county Food Safety Training page states: "It is required per Schenectady County Sanitary Code Part 125.02 that at least one person from each food service establishment possess an approved, valid food safety training certificate"; the county's own Food Worker's Certification exam costs $75 per person. The Permits page states that food establishment permits are not transferable and a new owner must obtain a new permit. The Permits page accepts proof of exemption from payment in place of the fee (NYS form ST-119.1 and an IRS letter granting 501(c)(3) status). The Permits page accepts online applications through the Schenectady County Citizen Engagement Portal ("Pay by debit, credit card, or e-check"), or applications by mail or in person at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 300, with checks payable to the County of Schenectady; it states "Partial Payments are not accepted."

Catering / Commissary Permit

A caterer or commissary kitchen in Schenectady County needs a catering permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division. The county Food Services FAQ describes the catering permit as the one for an operation that "prepares and/or provides food intended for individual portion service at the premises of the consumer." Per the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"), the line "CATERERS AND COMMISSARIES" is $365, and the FAQ states "Catering permits are $365/year" and that catering permits are "year-round permits that must be renewed annually." The schedule prints no effective date; Schenectady County Sanitary Code §125.01(I)(2) provides that fees are set and amended by the county legislature by resolution. New or modified kitchens go through plan review at $150 per project ("CATERERS, COMMISSARIES, MOBILE FOOD, ETC." in the county's Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule). The Permits page asks catering applicants for a menu, a list of events with dates, hours and locations, and a manager-level food safety training certificate for at least one person. The FAQ states: "If you have a valid catering or mobile food service permit to operate in Schenectady County, you do not need a temporary food service permit to provide food for an event in Schenectady County." The Permits page accepts proof of exemption from payment in place of the fee (NYS form ST-119.1 and an IRS letter granting 501(c)(3) status). The Permits page accepts online applications through the Schenectady County Citizen Engagement Portal ("Pay by debit, credit card, or e-check"), or applications by mail or in person at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 300, with checks payable to the County of Schenectady; it states "Partial Payments are not accepted."

Mobile Food Service Permit (truck, trailer or pushcart)

A food truck, trailer or pushcart operating in Schenectady County needs a mobile food service permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division. Per the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"), the fee is $190 ("MOBILE FOOD VENDORS"), and the county's Mobile Food Service Plan Review Packet (8.20.25) states: "Payment of $190 for mobile only or $255 for mobile and frozen dessert." The schedule prints no effective date; Schenectady County Sanitary Code §125.01(I)(2) provides that fees are set and amended by the county legislature by resolution. The Permits page states: "Mobile Food Service permits issued are valid from date of approval to December 31st of each year." A new unit first goes through plan review, at $150 per project per the county's Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule, with plans submitted at least 30 days before construction, renovation or initial operation; the Permits page requires that "All applicable motor vehicle, building, fire department, electrical and plumbing permits must be secured and satisfied before issuance of a permit from this office," and asks for a permitted commissary, a menu, a route list of vending locations and a manager-level food safety training certificate for at least one person. The Permits page accepts proof of exemption from payment in place of the fee (NYS form ST-119.1 and an IRS letter granting 501(c)(3) status). The Permits page accepts online applications through the Schenectady County Citizen Engagement Portal ("Pay by debit, credit card, or e-check"), or applications by mail or in person at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 300, with checks payable to the County of Schenectady; it states "Partial Payments are not accepted."

Temporary Food Service Permit

A vendor preparing or serving food at a fair, festival, fundraiser or other single event in Schenectady County needs a temporary food service permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division. Per the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"), the fee is $90 per booth per event, and the county FAQ states "Temporary food permits are $90/event." The schedule prints no effective date; Schenectady County Sanitary Code §125.01(I)(2) provides that fees are set and amended by the county legislature by resolution. The FAQ states that temporary permits "are only valid for a fixed location for a single event of not more than 14 consecutive days." The county's application instructions state: "The application must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the event," and list proof of workers' compensation and disability insurance (or form CE-200), a commissary agreement where applicable, a menu, and "Payment of $90 per vendor. Make a check payable to Schenectady County. Cash will be accepted if you apply in person." The Permits page adds that a vendor donating its profits to a charitable event may ask for the fee to be waived by attestation, with a matching attestation from the event organizer. Per the FAQ, a business holding a valid Schenectady County catering or mobile food service permit does not need this permit to serve at an event in the county.

Swimming Pool Permit

A fitness studio or other facility in Schenectady County that operates a swimming pool needs a permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division; a studio without a pool has no pool permit. The county Pools and Beaches page states that the county regulates swimming pools "in accordance with New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations, Part 6." Per the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"), the fee is set by the maximum number of bathers (25 sq. ft. per bather) and multiplied by the number of pools: $215 per pool for 1-100 bathers and $265 per pool for 101 or more. The schedule prints no effective date; Schenectady County Sanitary Code §125.01(I)(2) provides that fees are set and amended by the county legislature by resolution. A new or modified pool first goes through plan review, per the county's Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule: $250 for 100-5,000 sq. ft. and $400 for 5,001 sq. ft. or more. The Permits page asks for the application, the fee or proof of exemption, proof of workers' compensation and disability insurance, a swimming pool safety plan (or, at renewal, a letter attesting that the plan on file is unchanged) and the certifications required for the pool's level of supervision. The Permits page accepts online applications through the Schenectady County Citizen Engagement Portal ("Pay by debit, credit card, or e-check"), or applications by mail or in person at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 300, with checks payable to the County of Schenectady; it states "Partial Payments are not accepted."

Body Art Studio Permit

A salon or studio in Schenectady County that offers tattooing or body piercing needs a body art studio permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division; a salon without tattooing or piercing has no body art permit. The county regulates studios and artists under its own Sanitary Code, Chapter 125, §125.07, effective October 12, 2021, which states that the studio permit is "valid from the date of issuance and shall automatically expire no longer than one (1) year from the date of issuance" and that fees are set by the county legislature by resolution. The county Permits page lists "Permit Fee $200", matching the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"). A new studio submits a to-scale floor plan at least 30 days before construction "with a plan review fee of $150", per the Permits page and the county's Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule. Documents are due no later than 30 days before the intended date of operation and include proof of workers' compensation and disability insurance and medical waste tracking forms, plus autoclave details where the studio has one. Each artist working in the studio also needs a body artist permit, recorded separately. The Permits page accepts online applications through the Schenectady County Citizen Engagement Portal ("Pay by debit, credit card, or e-check"), or applications by mail or in person at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 300, with checks payable to the County of Schenectady; it states "Partial Payments are not accepted."

Body Artist Permit (including Temporary Body Artist Permit)

Every tattooist or body piercer working in Schenectady County needs an individual body artist permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division, in addition to the studio permit. The county Permits page lists "Permit Fee $185", matching the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"). Under Sanitary Code §125.07 the practitioner permit is "valid from the date of issuance and shall automatically expire no longer than one (1) year from the date of issuance." Applicants submit documents no later than 30 days before operating, including a yearly bloodborne pathogens certificate, CPR/first aid certificates and photos; new artists also submit a skin course certificate and evidence of at least one year of experience. An artist working a single event uses the Temporary Body Artist Permit: the Permits page states "Temporary permit fee of $100. The fee is waived for the body artists holding a valid Body Artist permit issued by Schenectady County Environmental Health Division." The county Body Art page describes the temporary permit as covering "a single event that lasts for 14 days or less", and the code sets the transient practitioner permit to expire "no longer than thirty (30) days from the date of issuance." Event organizers file a letter of intent, plan review and the artists' temporary permits 6 months before the event, per the Body Art page. The Permits page accepts online applications through the Schenectady County Citizen Engagement Portal ("Pay by debit, credit card, or e-check"), or applications by mail or in person at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 300, with checks payable to the County of Schenectady; it states "Partial Payments are not accepted."

Children's Camp Permit

A childcare business in Schenectady County that runs a summer or day camp needs a children's camp permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division; a daycare without a camp has no camp permit. Per the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"), the fee is $215, listed as "CHILDREN'S CAMPS - PT. 7, State Sanitary Code". The schedule prints no effective date; Schenectady County Sanitary Code §125.01(I)(2) provides that fees are set and amended by the county legislature by resolution. The Permits page asks for the application, the fee or proof of exemption, proof of workers' compensation and disability insurance, state forms DOH 367 and 367a, camp director statements and clearance forms, staff background and sex offender registry checks, staff first aid, CPR and lifeguard certifications, a camp schedule and an AED plan. It states that "New York State Sanitary Code Subpart 7-2, Children's Camps, requires that children's camp operators develop, review annually, update and implement a written safety plan." Daycare centers are a separate matter: the county Daycares page states that the "Environmental Health Division DOES NOT license or register daycares" and refers operators to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The Permits page accepts online applications through the Schenectady County Citizen Engagement Portal ("Pay by debit, credit card, or e-check"), or applications by mail or in person at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 300, with checks payable to the County of Schenectady; it states "Partial Payments are not accepted."

Contact

Jurisdiction: Schenectady County
Phone: (518) 386-2818
Website: www.schenectadycountyny.gov/envi-health/permits

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.

Body ArtSchenectady County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
DaycaresSchenectady County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Environmental Health PermitsSchenectady County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Food Service Establishment Plan Review Packet (8.20.25)Schenectady County Public Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Food ServicesSchenectady County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Mobile Food Service Plan Review Packet (8.20.25)Schenectady County Public Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Online Food Safety TrainingSchenectady County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Permit Fee Determination ScheduleSchenectady County Public Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Plan Review Fee Determination ScheduleSchenectady County Public Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Pools and BeachesSchenectady County · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Schenectady County Sanitary Code, Chapter 125 (Body Art Code Book 2021)County of Schenectady · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
Temporary Food Service Permit Application InstructionsSchenectady County Public Health Services · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27

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