- Published
- 2026-08-11
- Updated
- 2026-08-15
- Author
- Editorial team
- Reviewed by
- Pending — see /editorial-policy/
- Reading time
- 5 min
In short
Across the jurisdictions currently in our database, headline permit fees account for well under half of total opening permit cost for food businesses. Plan review, re-inspection and per-face signage charges drive most of the variance between otherwise comparable cities.
Why are published fee schedules misleading?
A published schedule lists the permit fee. It does not usually list the plan review fee, the re-inspection fee charged when a first inspection fails, or the per-face calculation applied to signage. Those are the line items that separate a forecast from an outturn.
What does this mean for a budget?
Budget the headline fees, then add a contingency for at least one re-inspection. Operators who plan for a clean first inspection are the ones most often surprised.
What our records show
Figures from the published records behind this site, last verified 2026-10-15. They update as records are re-checked. We currently publish 6,354 requirements from 477 jurisdictions in 51 states, citing 6,445 sources.
| Permit type | Jurisdictions | Typical fee (middle half) | Median fee | Usual term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food service establishment permit | 380 in 50 states | $150–$525 | $274 | annual |
| Certificate of occupancy | 203 in 49 states | $75–$232 | $125 | issued once per qualifying occupancy |
| General business license | 308 in 51 states | $50–$225 | $100 | not applicable |
| Fire inspection certificate | 55 in 21 states | $50–$150 | $100 | annual |
| Sign permit | 213 in 50 states | $50–$281 | $100 | one-time, per sign |
| Sales and use tax permit | 57 in 51 states | $20–$50 | $50 | not applicable |
Referenced on this page
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.