Butler County

Butler County General Health District

In short

Butler County General Health District issues 11 permits we publish for Butler County, last verified 2026-10-20. 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 Operation / Retail Food Establishment License	Butler County General Health District	Per the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule, each amount is the combined local and state fee as printed. Commercial 24,999 sq ft or less: Level 1 $260.00 ($232.00 + $28.00 state portion), Level 2 $285.00 ($257.00 + $28.00), Level 3 $485.00 ($457.00 + $28.00), Level 4 $595.00 ($567.00 + $28.00). Commercial 25,000 sq ft or more: Level 1 $345.00 ($317.00 + $28.00), Level 2 $360.00 ($332.00 + $28.00), Level 3 $1,115.00 ($1,087.00 + $28.00), Level 4 $1,180.00 ($1,152.00 + $28.00). A late renewal adds a mandatory penalty of 25% of the renewal fee.	the licensing year of March 1 to February 28; the district's plan review packet states that licenses issued after March 1 and until November 30 are not pro-rated and expire on March 1, and that food licenses issued on or after December 1 run 15 months and expire on March 1 of the next licensing year	2026-10-20
Food Facility Plan Review	Butler County General Health District	Per the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule: Level 1 $175.00, Level 2 $225.00, Level 3 $370.00, Level 4 $475.00; Micro Market plan review $175.00.	one-time, for each new or remodeled food facility; the packet asks applicants to allow 30 days for review	2026-10-20
Mobile Food Service Operation / Mobile Retail Food Establishment License	Butler County General Health District	Per the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule, combined local and state as printed: high-risk mobile $230.00 ($202.00 local + $28.00 state portion); low-risk mobile $129.00 ($101.00 local, which the schedule sets at 50% of the high-risk local fee, + $28.00 state portion).	one licensing year; under ORC 3717.43(D) a mobile operation submits its renewal application before commencing operation in a new licensing period	2026-10-20
Temporary Food Service Operation / Retail Food Establishment License	Butler County General Health District	$75 per event, as printed on the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule and the 2026 temporary packet	up to 5 consecutive days at the same location; ORC 3717.43(D) makes a temporary license non-renewable	2026-10-20
Public Swimming Pool, Spa, Special Use Pool and Splash Pad Licenseonly if it applies to you	Butler County General Health District	Per the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule, combined local and state as printed: each individual public swimming pool, public spa, special use pool or splash pad $445.00 ($365.00 + $80.00 state portion); each additional pool, spa, special use pool or splash pad at the same address $220.00 ($165.00 + $55.00 state portion). Operating after the deadline adds a mandatory penalty of 25% of the license renewal fee (ORC 3709.09(D)).	annual license	2026-10-20
Body Art Establishment Licenseonly if it applies to you	Butler County General Health District	$380 a year, per body art establishment, as printed on the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule; operating after the deadline adds a mandatory penalty of 25% of the renewal fee	annual license	2026-10-20
Plumbing Permit and Commercial Plumbing Plan Review	Butler County General Health District	Per the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule: base permit $60.00 plus $20.00 per fixture; sewer line $50.00; water line $40.00; backflow preventer $25.00 per device; water heater replacement $40.00; re-inspection or second inspection $50.00; permit transfer $100.00; six-month permit extension $100.00; work performed without a permit, two times the permit fee. Commercial plumbing plan review: 1-10 fixtures $50.00, 11-25 fixtures $65.00, 26-50 fixtures $90.00, 51 or more fixtures $150.00. Application for health release for a building permit: $40.00 where plumbing is involved, $40.00 with no plumbing on a private sewage system, $0.00 with no plumbing on public sewer and water.	a plumbing permit is valid for 18 months from the date issued or from the last inspection date, and a six-month extension can be bought	2026-10-20
Plumber Registration	Butler County General Health District	Per the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule: Master Plumber or Registered Plumber $100.00; Assistant Plumber (Journeyman) $25.00.	annual; the plumbing page states that registrants pay an annual fee due by January 1 of each calendar year	2026-10-20
Medical Gas System Permit and Inspectiononly if it applies to you	Butler County General Health District	Per the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule: plan review $250.00; permit processing $250.00; inspection $100.00 per system (carbon dioxide, oxygen, medical air and the like), based on two inspections per system; $10.00 per outlet; partial inspection $50.00 each; re-inspection $75.00 each; after-hour and weekend inspection $100.00 an hour with a $400.00 minimum and $100.00 for each hour after the first four. Remodel or repair: base $100.00, inspection $75.00 each (minimum of 2), $10.00 per box, with remodels and repairs capped at $600.00 before the full medical gas fees apply. Work performed without a permit is charged two times the permit fee.	per project; all fees must be paid before a final inspection is scheduled	2026-10-20
Sewage Treatment System Permit (HSTS, SFOSTS, GWRS)only if it applies to you	Butler County General Health District	Per the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule: application for site review $425.00 (combined with soil evaluation and design); permit to install a new or replacement system $569.00 combined ($495.00 + $74.00 state portion); permit to alter an existing system $510.00 combined ($475.00 + $35.00 state portion); annual operation permit for discharging units $25.00; ten-year operation permit for non-discharging units $40.00; annual inspection $35.00; ten-year inspection $50.00; abandonment of a system $60.00; Board of Health variance $400.00. Work begun before a permit is issued for a new installation or alteration carries a penalty of 25% of the permit fee (ORC 3709.09).	installation and alteration permits are per project; operation permits are annual for discharging units and ten-year for non-discharging units	2026-10-20
Sewage Treatment System Installer, Service Provider and Septage Hauler Registration	Butler County General Health District	Per the BCGHD 2026 Approved Fee Schedule: registration of installers and service providers $100.00; registration and vehicle permit for septage haulers $100.00; each additional truck $20.00.	annual registration	2026-10-20

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 Operation / Retail Food Establishment License

A restaurant, cafe, grocery or other food business in the Butler County General Health District's area needs this license, and the figure depends on floor area and the risk level the district assigns. The amounts are read from the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005), which prices the 2026 licensing year and prints every food figure as the local fee plus the $28.00 state portion. The schedule adds 'a mandatory penalty fee of 25% of the renewal fee, for operating a food service operation or retail food establishment after the deadline,' matching ORC 3717.43(D), under which renewal is due by March 1. The district's FSO/RFE plan review packet sets the calendar: 'Licenses issued after March 1, and until November 30th are not pro-rated and will expire on March 1st of each year,' and 'Food licenses issued on or after December 1st are good for 15 months and will expire on March 1st of the next licensing year.' A new operation passes a pre-licensing inspection before the application and fee are accepted, and 'You may only operate once the completed license application and fee are returned to the Health District.' The Butler County General Health District's Board of Health page states that it serves 'residents across Butler County, Ohio—excluding the cities of Hamilton and Middletown, which maintain their own city health departments,' so an address inside either city is licensed by that city's health department and is not priced by this schedule.

Food Facility Plan Review

Before a new or remodeled food service operation or retail food establishment opens, its plans go to the Butler County General Health District for review. The fees are from the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005). The district's FSO/RFE plan review packet tells applicants to 'Allow 30 days for review,' with another 30 days for each resubmission, and once plans are approved and construction is done the applicant must contact the district 'to schedule a pre-licensing inspection at least 7 days before opening.' A food license application is handed over only after the operation passes that inspection. The district's Environmental Health and Forms pages state that 'As of 6/15/2026 and until further notice - The Food Service Division is NOT able to accommodate expedited plan reviews,' so the standard timetable applies. The Butler County General Health District's Board of Health page states that it serves 'residents across Butler County, Ohio—excluding the cities of Hamilton and Middletown, which maintain their own city health departments,' so an address inside either city is licensed by that city's health department and is not priced by this schedule.

Mobile Food Service Operation / Mobile Retail Food Establishment License

A food truck or trailer headquartered in the Butler County General Health District's area is licensed here, because ORC 3717.43 requires a mobile food service operation license application to be submitted 'to the licensor for the health district in which the applicant's business headquarters are located.' The amounts are from the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005), each the local fee plus the $28.00 state portion. The district's mobile plan review packet describes a pre-licensing inspection before the license is issued and states that 'Once license is issued, unit can be used anywhere in Ohio as long as no restrictions are placed on the license'; ORC 3717.43 likewise provides that 'A mobile or catering food service operation license issued by one licensor shall be recognized by all other licensors in this state.' The packet also states that high-risk mobile units may cater out of the unit with a catering endorsement. The Butler County General Health District's Board of Health page states that it serves 'residents across Butler County, Ohio—excluding the cities of Hamilton and Middletown, which maintain their own city health departments,' so an address inside either city is licensed by that city's health department and is not priced by this schedule.

Temporary Food Service Operation / Retail Food Establishment License

A business serving or selling food at a festival, fair or other short event in the Butler County General Health District's area needs a temporary license for each event. The $75.00 fee is printed on the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005) and on the district's temporary packet, which is headed 'Effective: December 1, 2025- December 1, 2026.' The packet defines a temporary operation as one operating 'for a period of no longer than 5 consecutive days,' states that 'The license is good for a consecutive 5 days in the same location,' and requires the questionnaire, application and fee to reach the district 'at least 10 business days before the event.' Plans submitted without the fee are not reviewed. The Butler County General Health District's Board of Health page states that it serves 'residents across Butler County, Ohio—excluding the cities of Hamilton and Middletown, which maintain their own city health departments,' so an address inside either city is licensed by that city's health department and is not priced by this schedule.

Public Swimming Pool, Spa, Special Use Pool and Splash Pad License

A gym, studio or club in the Butler County General Health District's area that runs a public swimming pool, spa, special use pool or splash pad needs a license for each one; a studio without a pool or spa has no pool license to buy. The amounts are from the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005), which prints each figure as the local fee plus the state portion. The schedule states 'There is a mandatory penalty fee of 25% of the license renewal fee for operating a swimming pool, spa or special use pool after the deadline (Section 3709.09 (D) of the ORC).' The district's Codes & Regulations page links OAC Chapter 3701-31, the state rules for public swimming pools and spas, together with its weekly operation and injury report forms. The Butler County General Health District's Board of Health page states that it serves 'residents across Butler County, Ohio—excluding the cities of Hamilton and Middletown, which maintain their own city health departments,' so an address inside either city is licensed by that city's health department and is not priced by this schedule.

Body Art Establishment License

A salon or studio in the Butler County General Health District's area that offers tattooing or body piercing needs a body art establishment license; a salon without tattooing or piercing has no body art license to buy. The schedule lists an 'Annual License $380.00' for body art establishments in the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005), and states 'There is a mandatory penalty fee of 25% of the license renewal fee for operating a Tattoo Parlor after the deadline (Section 3709.09 (D) of the ORC).' The district's Codes & Regulations page links ORC Chapter 3730 and OAC Chapter 3701-9, the state law and rules for body art, and its Environmental Health page lists body art (tattoo and body piercing) among the establishments it licenses and inspects. The Butler County General Health District's Board of Health page states that it serves 'residents across Butler County, Ohio—excluding the cities of Hamilton and Middletown, which maintain their own city health departments,' so an address inside either city is licensed by that city's health department and is not priced by this schedule.

Plumbing Permit and Commercial Plumbing Plan Review

Plumbing work on a new building, a build-out or a remodel needs a permit from the Butler County General Health District before it starts; its plumbing page states that under the Ohio Plumbing Code 'it is required that all necessary permits be obtained for any applicable plumbing, water and sewage systems prior to starting work on any of these systems,' including additions and basement finishes in existing businesses. The amounts are from the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005), which states that 'A plumbing permit is valid for 18 months from the date issued or from the last inspection date,' that the original permit must accompany a transfer request or full fees are charged, and that sewer and water lines installed without a permit must be exposed and are charged two times the permit fee. The plumbing page states that 'Plumbing and Medical Gas Permit fees are updated annually.' The district's plumbing page states that 'The Butler County General Health District issues all plumbing permits for Butler County unless it falls under the jurisdiction of City of Hamilton or the City of Middletown,' so work inside either city is permitted by that city rather than under these figures.

Plumber Registration

A plumber working in the Butler County General Health District's area registers with the district each year. Its Environmental Health page states that 'All professionals performing sewage or plumbing work are required by the Ohio Revised Code/Administrative Code to be registered with the local health district where they are working,' and that 'Persons performing plumbing or sewage work in Butler County while unregistered will be turned over to the Prosecutor's Office for further action.' The plumbing page states 'To register in Butler County, you must pay an annual fee (due by January 1 of each calendar year).' The two amounts above are from the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005). For commercial work the plumbing page states that licensed professionals 'must have their State of Ohio Contractors License if doing commercial work' and asks them to 'send a copy of your Ohio State Contractors License with your registration fees so we may keep it on file.' The district's plumbing page states that 'The Butler County General Health District issues all plumbing permits for Butler County unless it falls under the jurisdiction of City of Hamilton or the City of Middletown,' so work inside either city is permitted by that city rather than under these figures.

Medical Gas System Permit and Inspection

A veterinary clinic or other facility installing a medical gas system (oxygen, carbon dioxide, medical air and similar) in the Butler County General Health District's area needs this permit and its inspections. The amounts are from the medical gas page of the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005), which also states that 'Request for a medical gas inspection must be made two working days in advance,' that 'No part of any medical gas system shall be covered until it has been inspected, tested and approved,' that 'ALL FEES MUST BE PAID PRIOR TO SCHEDULING A FINAL INSPECTION,' and asks applicants to 'allow 5 to 10 working days for Medical Gas Plan review.' The schedule's per-system inspection fee covers two inspections, and any further inspection is charged as a partial inspection. The district's plumbing page states that 'The Butler County General Health District issues all plumbing permits for Butler County unless it falls under the jurisdiction of City of Hamilton or the City of Middletown,' so work inside either city is permitted by that city rather than under these figures.

Sewage Treatment System Permit (HSTS, SFOSTS, GWRS)

A business on a site that is not served by public sewer, such as a rural restaurant, daycare, clinic or garage, uses a household or small flow on-site sewage treatment system that the Butler County General Health District permits; a site without a private sewage system has no sewage treatment system permit to buy. The amounts are from the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005), which states that its sewage fees 'are established in accordance with Ohio Administrative Code 3701-29-05' and covers household sewage treatment systems (HSTS), small flow on-site sewage treatment systems (SFOSTS) and gray water recycling systems (GWRS). The install and alter permits each include two inspections and one 12-month follow-up, and septic tank abandonment is bought separately. The schedule states 'Penalty fee of 25% of the permit fee will be assessed if work has commenced prior to a permit being issued for a new installation or alteration per ORC 3709.09.' The Butler County General Health District's Board of Health page states that it serves 'residents across Butler County, Ohio—excluding the cities of Hamilton and Middletown, which maintain their own city health departments,' so an address inside either city is licensed by that city's health department and is not priced by this schedule.

Sewage Treatment System Installer, Service Provider and Septage Hauler Registration

A contractor who installs or services sewage treatment systems, or hauls septage, in the Butler County General Health District's area registers with the district. Its Environmental Health page states that 'All professionals performing sewage or plumbing work are required by the Ohio Revised Code/Administrative Code to be registered with the local health district where they are working,' advises the public to 'USE ONLY REGISTERED OR LICENSED PROFESSIONALS,' and states that 'Persons performing plumbing or sewage work in Butler County while unregistered will be turned over to the Prosecutor's Office for further action.' The amounts are from the Home Sewage Treatment System page of the Butler County General Health District '2026 APPROVED FEE SCHEDULE', approved by the Board of Health on 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005). The Butler County General Health District's Board of Health page states that it serves 'residents across Butler County, Ohio—excluding the cities of Hamilton and Middletown, which maintain their own city health departments,' so an address inside either city is licensed by that city's health department and is not priced by this schedule.

Contact

Jurisdiction: Butler County
Phone: 513-863-1770
Website: health.bcohio.gov/environmental_health_and_plumbing_services/index.php

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.

Applications & Forms — the annual Board of Health fee schedule, food plan review applications and the temporary food license packetButler County General Health District, Ohio · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-20
BCGHD FSO/RFE Plan Review application (updated 12/1/24) — plan review steps, the pre-licensing inspection, the 15-month rule for licenses issued on or after December 1 and the March 1 renewalButler County General Health District, Ohio · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-20
BCGHD Mobile Plan Review guidelines and application (updated 12/1/24) — pre-licensing inspection, statewide use of the license, catering endorsement and person-in-charge ruleButler County General Health District, Ohio · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-20
Board of Health — the district's governing board and its statement that it serves Butler County excluding the cities of Hamilton and MiddletownButler County General Health District, Ohio · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-20
Butler County General Health District 2026 Approved Fee Schedule — approved by the Board of Health 18 September 2025 (Motion 2025-09-005): plumbing, medical gas, sewage, food, pool and body art feesButler County General Health District, Ohio · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-20
Codes & Regulations — the district's links to OAC Chapter 3717-1, OAC Chapter 3701-31 (public swimming pools and spas), ORC Chapter 3730 and OAC Chapter 3701-9 (body art)Butler County General Health District, Ohio · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-20
Environmental Health Division — licensed establishments within Butler County (excluding the cities of Hamilton and Middletown), the plumbing and septic registration notice and the expedited plan review suspension noticeButler County General Health District, Ohio · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-20
ORC 3717.43 — a licensor may issue not more than ten temporary food service operation licenses per licensing period to the same person or government entityOhio Legislative Service Commission · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-29
Plumbing Permits — permits required before work starts, the Hamilton and Middletown carve-out, the Ohio contractor's license copy for commercial work and annual registration due by January 1Butler County General Health District, Ohio · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-20
Temporary Food Service Operation / Retail Food Establishment packet, 'Effective: December 1, 2025- December 1, 2026' — five consecutive days, ten business days' notice, $75.00 license feeButler County General Health District, Ohio · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-20

Other offices serving Butler County

The full permit list for this jurisdiction

Business licenses in Butler County

Industry permit lists that include this agency

Ohio jurisdictions

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