What permits do you need to open a restaurant in Oklahoma County?

Food and Lodging Establishment Plan Review (STATE-SET fee, collected by OCCHD)

Before a food establishment in Oklahoma County is built, converted, remodelled or changed in type, its plans go through plan review with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD). The $425 fee is STATE-SET, not a county or OCCHD fee: OAC 310:250-3-7(a)(1) (effective October 1, 2017) sets plan review at $425 and directs that it be submitted "to the Oklahoma State Department of Health or respective County Health Department". OCCHD collects it: its Food or Lodging Establishment Plan Review Application and Mobile Food Plan Review Application (both Rev. 4/2025) state the $425.00 non-refundable fee, and its payment page states "The plan review fee is $425." OCCHD's Plan Review page applies the fee to all food service establishments and lodging facilities. The plan review fee is separate from the state food establishment license fee. OCCHD's Food Safety & Environmental Health office is at 2401 NW 23rd St., Ste. 70, Oklahoma City, OK 73107, (405) 425-4400.

County Certificates of Zoning and of Fire, Safety and Health Compliance for ABLE license applicants outside city limits (37A O.S. § 2-142)

A restaurant, bar or store applying for an original alcohol license from the Oklahoma ABLE Commission at a location outside the incorporated limits of every municipality in Oklahoma County needs two certificates from the county. Under 37A O.S. § 2-142(B)(2) and (3), the applicant furnishes a certificate of zoning issued by the county certifying that the proposed location and use comply with county zoning regulations, and a certificate issued by the county certifying that operations comply with county fire, safety or health codes. Section 2-142(C) states that the certificates are signed by the chair of the board of county commissioners unless the county designates another officer or entity, that applications must be in writing, and that counties must act within twenty days of receiving the written application; subsection (D) allows conditional certificates for premises still under construction, and subsection (E) requires the certificates to be issued within ten days after all final inspections are completed. A location inside a city obtains these certificates from that city. A county procedure or fee for the certificates is not published by Oklahoma County; contact the Board of County Commissioners or the Planning Department at 405-713-1361.

Certified Food Protection Manager (optional, not mandatory)

No fee, because Oklahoma runs no mandatory statewide food handler card or food manager certification programme — and this is worth stating plainly because it contradicts what a business owner might expect from a neighbouring state. The rule gives the person in charge three separate ways to demonstrate knowledge at inspection: having no priority violations that day, being a certified food protection manager, or simply answering the inspector's questions correctly. Certification is one option among three, not a requirement. Local ordinances in individual cities and counties may impose their own food handler card programmes, but those are municipal choices rather than a state mandate.

Shared with other businesses in Oklahoma County

• Food Establishment License (state license, STATE-SET fee; OCCHD inspects in Oklahoma County) — Oklahoma City-County Health Department, STATE-SET (OAC 310:250-3-1(a)(1)): $425 initial license, $335 renewal, paid to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. This is a state fee with no county portion., annual (state license). Also required for coffee shops, food trucks and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.
• Special Use Permit (unincorporated zoning) — alcohol-serving restaurants and bars, child day care centers, general veterinary and kennels — Oklahoma County Planning Department / Planning Commission, Zoning Regulations Article I, Section 13 states that the fee schedule is maintained in the office of the Planning Commission; no figure is published on the Planning page. Contact the Oklahoma County Planning Department (405-713-1361) for the current amount., an approved special use permit expires after 24 months if no building permit has been issued (Zoning Regulations Article IV, Section 6.F). Also required for coffee shops, childcare centres and veterinary clinics; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• State Temporary Food Service License (special events; STATE-SET fee, issued on site by OCCHD) — Oklahoma City-County Health Department, STATE-SET (OAC 310:250-3-1(a)(5)): $50 for the first day plus $25 for each additional consecutive day, $250 maximum, for at most 14 consecutive days. OCCHD collects the fee per owner/sales tax permit, not per sales location., per event, up to 14 consecutive days. Also required for food trucks and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
• Food Establishment License — Oklahoma State Department of Health, Consumer Health Service, $425 to open, plus a $425 plan review; renewal is $335 a year, annual. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.