Commercial Compliance Hub
Check requirements

Chester County

Chester County Health Department

In short

Chester County Health Department issues 11 permits we publish for Chester 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
Certified Food Manager (CFM) Certificateonly if it applies to youChester County Health Department$40 per CCHD CFM certificate; duplicate certificate $205 years from course completion (CCHD Rules §303.6); renewable for 5 years with training in the six months before expiry (§303.7)2026-10-09
Public Bathing Place (Pool/Spa) Certificate of Registrationonly if it applies to youChester County Health Department$400 base fee plus $150 for each additional filtration system at the siteexpires April 30 and is renewed annually (CCHD Rules §602.2.3.1); nontransferable (§602.2.3.3)2026-10-09
On-Lot Sewage System Permitonly if it applies to youChester County Health Department$200–$800 per permit or service — site evaluation $800; major permit $800; minor component repair $250; minor tank permit $450; evaluation of an existing system for building alterations, additions or change in use $200per permit2026-10-09
Well Permitonly if it applies to youChester County Health Department$100–$300 per permit — new well $300; 2nd or additional well $175; alteration of an existing well (extend casing, 2nd water line) $100per permit2026-10-09
Liquid Waste Hauler (Pump and Transport) Licenseonly if it applies to youChester County Health Department$175 per vehicle, per yearone calendar year from the date of issuance (CCHD Rules §504.4.3)2026-10-09
Food Facility Plan Reviewonly if it applies to youChester County Health Department$60–$500 one-time, per review — food facility plan review $300; facility more than 10,000 sq ft $500; commissary added to an existing facility $100; change of ownership/turn-key operation/added license to shared space with no changes $60; operating without plan review $240; phased opening inspection $200one-time, per plan review2026-10-09
Food Facility LicenseChester County Health Department$100–$750 annual license, by facility type — food facility with fewer than 50 seats $340; 50 or more seats $480; more than 10,000 sq ft $750; in conjunction with a PA liquor license $500; take-out only $340; retail outlet $200; commissary/caterer $340; mobile food facility $340; mobile retail outlet $200; beverage manufactured on premises with tasting room, no food $180; tax-exempt food facility $170; tax-exempt retail outlet $100; food service at day care $200annual (CCHD Rules §605.3.2.5 refers to 'annually licensed establishments' under Chapter 300)2026-10-09
Temporary Food Facility (Temporary Event) Licenseonly if it applies to youChester County Health Department$10–$200 per event, non-refundable — 1–14 day food event $100; 1–14 day food event, tax-exempt $50; cook-off food event (organiser) $200; cook-off food participant $10; late fee $50 when the application arrives less than 5 days before the eventper event, up to 14 consecutive days at a fixed location with a single event (CCHD Rules §605.2.1.10)2026-10-09
Farm Market Vendor Licenseonly if it applies to youChester County Health Department$20–$150 farm market vendor license $150; each additional location $20; farmers' market vendor (plan) review $50the license term is not stated in the CCHD fee schedule or on the Farmers' Market Guidelines page; contact the Chester County Health Department, 610-344-62252026-10-09
Child Day Care Center Certificate of RegistrationChester County Health DepartmentThe Day Care Facility fee is set in the CCHD fee schedule under CCHD Rules §701; contact the Chester County Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health Protection (610-344-6225, cchd@chesco.org) for the current amount before applying.not to exceed 12 months (CCHD Rules §406.4.2.3); nontransferable (§406.4.2.6)2026-10-09
Well Driller, Geothermal Well and Pump Installer Contractor Licenseonly if it applies to youChester County Health Department$250–$500 per year — well drilling license $500; geothermal well license $250; pump installer license $250; examination $50 per test; late renewal fee $50annual; not transferable (CCHD Rules §501.6.2)2026-10-09

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

Certified Food Manager (CFM) Certificate

CCHD Rules §303.1 requires a Certified Food Manager at a licensed food facility, with the exemption in §303.3 for facilities handling only non-potentially-hazardous or commercially prepackaged foods; §303.10 gives a new licensee 90 days to employ one, and §303.9 limits a CFM to one facility at a time. The CCHD CFM certificate costs $40 ($20 for a duplicate), runs 5 years from course completion under §303.6 and is renewable under §303.7. CCHD's Certified Food Managers page states that an ANSI-accredited certificate is accepted by reciprocity. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

Public Bathing Place (Pool/Spa) Certificate of Registration

CCHD Rules §602.2.3 states that 'A person may not operate a public bathing place without a Certificate of Registration issued by the Department', covering every pool, hot tub, spa or water slide at the site. A fitness studio or childcare centre with a pool, spa or hot tub pays a $400 base fee plus $150 for each additional filtration system; a studio or centre without one needs no certificate under this program. Certificates expire on April 30, are renewed annually and are nontransferable. Under §602.2.1 the construction permit itself comes from the local municipality under the PA Uniform Construction Code. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

On-Lot Sewage System Permit

A business on a Chester County site without public sewer that installs, repairs or alters an individual or community on-lot sewage system must first obtain a permit from CCHD under CCHD Rules §503.4, which adopts 25 Pa. Code chapters 71 to 73. A site evaluation is $800, a major permit $800, a minor component repair $250 and a minor tank permit $450, and an evaluation of an existing system for a building alteration, addition or change in use — the line most relevant to a business moving into an existing building — is $200. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

Well Permit

A business on a Chester County site with a private well needs a CCHD permit before any well is installed, repaired or altered under CCHD Rules §501.7.1.2, and §501.7.2.1 requires the application to be made by a CCHD-licensed well contractor. A new well permit is $300, a second or additional well $175 and an alteration of an existing well $100. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

Liquid Waste Hauler (Pump and Transport) License

This license applies only to contractors who pump or transport septic and other liquid waste in Chester County. CCHD Rules §504.4.1 requires a CCHD license to pump or transport liquid waste, and §504.4.3 states that the license expires one calendar year from the date of issuance, with renewal in the 30 days before expiry. The fee is $175 per vehicle. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

Food Facility Plan Review

Before a new food facility opens in Chester County, or an existing one adds a commissary or changes ownership, CCHD reviews its plans for a one-time fee: $300 for a food facility plan review, $500 for a facility of more than 10,000 square feet, $100 for a commissary added to an existing facility, and $60 for a change of ownership, turn-key operation or added license to a shared space with no changes. Operating without plan review carries a $240 fee, and a phased opening inspection is $200. These charges are in addition to the annual food facility license. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

Food Facility License

A restaurant, coffee shop, food truck, food-selling retail store or a child day care centre that serves food anywhere in Chester County needs an annual food facility license from the Chester County Health Department (CCHD) under CCHD Rules Chapter 300. The fee depends on the facility type: $340 for a food facility with fewer than 50 seats, $480 with 50 or more seats, $750 over 10,000 square feet, $500 in conjunction with a PA liquor license, $340 for take-out only, $200 for a retail outlet, $340 for a commissary or caterer, $340 for a mobile food facility, $200 for a mobile retail outlet, $180 for a beverage maker with a tasting room and no food, $170 for a tax-exempt food facility, $100 for a tax-exempt retail outlet and $200 for food service at a day care. CCHD's page on temporary facilities states that 'A CCHD annual license allows catering'. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

Temporary Food Facility (Temporary Event) License

A food vendor selling at a short event in Chester County needs a CCHD temporary event license; §605.2.1.10 defines a temporary food facility as one operating for no more than 14 consecutive days at a fixed location with a single event, and CCHD's page on temporary facilities states that a separate license is needed for an off-site temporary event even when the operator holds an annual license. The fee is $100 for a 1–14 day food event ($50 for a tax-exempt operator), $200 for a cook-off event and $10 per cook-off participant, plus a $50 late fee when the application arrives less than 5 days before the event. The Temporary Events page states that the fee is non-refundable and that the application and payment must be received at least five working days before the event. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

Farm Market Vendor License

CCHD's Farmers' Market Guidelines page states that 'Most products sold at farmers' markets in Chester County require a license from the Health Department.' A retail food seller, food truck or coffee vendor trading at a farmers' market pays $150 for the farm market vendor license and $20 for each additional location, and the schedule lists a separate $50 farmers' market vendor review. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

Child Day Care Center Certificate of Registration

CCHD Rules §406.4.2.1 states that 'A person shall not operate a child day care center without a Certificate of Registration issued by the Department'; §406.2.1 applies the section to facilities the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services determines are child day care centers under chapter 3270, so this county certificate sits alongside the state certificate. A certificate is issued for no more than 12 months, the renewal application and fee are due 30 days before it expires, and it does not transfer to a new owner or lessee. Contact the Chester County Health Department, 610-344-6225, cchd@chesco.org, for the current Day Care Facility fee. A centre that serves food also holds the CCHD food facility license recorded separately for Chester County, and the schedule lists an Institution Plan Review of $300 ($350 over 10,000 square feet) for a new or altered centre. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

Well Driller, Geothermal Well and Pump Installer Contractor License

This license applies only to contractors in the well-drilling, geothermal-well and pump-installation trades working in Chester County. CCHD Rules §501.6.1 requires a CCHD license and examination, §501.6.2 states licenses are 'not transferable and shall be renewed annually', and §501.6.3 sets a 30-day wait before re-examination; CCHD's Licensed Contractors page lists current licensees. The well drilling license is $500, the geothermal well license $250 and the pump installer license $250, with a $50 fee per examination and a $50 late renewal fee. These amounts come from the CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, set by the Department under CCHD Rules and Regulations §701 and repeated on the county's Fee Schedule & Payment page (chesco.org/5973); they are county-only fees with no state component. The Board of Health has proposed a revised schedule for January 1, 2027: its July 21, 2026 minutes record that the draft is complete and that 'a small increase to fees is planned', and its August 18, 2026 minutes record that a summary was shared with the Commissioners and Board ahead of public comment. The revised amounts are not published.

Contact

Jurisdiction
Chester County
Phone
610-344-6225

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. CCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Protection Fee Schedule — Effective January 1, 2025Chester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  2. CCHD Rules and Regulations §406 (Child Day Care Centers), effective May 10, 2013Chester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  3. CCHD Rules and Regulations §501 (Wells and Well Contractors), effective November 12, 2014Chester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  4. CCHD Rules and Regulations §503 (Individual and Community On-Lot Sewage Systems), effective November 12, 2014Chester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  5. CCHD Rules and Regulations §504 (Liquid Waste Haulers), effective January 2, 2013Chester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  6. CCHD Rules and Regulations §602 (Public Bathing Places), amended effective May 17, 2010Chester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  7. CCHD Rules and Regulations Chapter 300 (Food), effective April 18, 2011Chester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  8. CCHD Rules and Regulations Chapter 600, §605 (Temporary Food Facilities), effective November 12, 2014Chester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  9. CCHD Rules and Regulations Chapter 700, §701 (Fees)Chester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  10. Certified Food ManagersChester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  11. Chester County Board of Health, minutes of July 21, 2026 (Old Business: Fee Schedule)Chester County Board of Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  12. Exemptions from Licensing for Temporary Food FacilitiesChester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  13. Farmers' Market GuidelinesChester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  14. Fee Schedule & Payment (CCHD Environmental Health fees, live page)Chester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  15. Food SafetyChester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  16. Licensed ContractorsChester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09
  17. Temporary Events InformationChester County Health Department · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-09

Other offices serving Chester County

The full permit list for this jurisdiction

Industry permit lists that include this agency

Pennsylvania jurisdictions

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.