What permits do you need to open a retail store in Tulsa County?

Food Establishment Plan Review (STATE-SET fee, payable to the Tulsa Health Department)

Before a food establishment anywhere in Tulsa County is built, converted or remodelled, its plans go through plan review at the Tulsa Health Department (THD). The fee is STATE-SET by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, applied through THD: OAC 310:250-3-7(a)(1) (effective October 1, 2017) sets plan review for food service, manufacturing, wholesale or brokers of food at $425, with plans submitted "to the Oklahoma State Department of Health or respective County Health Department". THD's Plan Review Application (form 10.11.01.01) states that it "must be submitted with the Fee of $425.00 made payable to the Tulsa Health Department", and THD's How to Open page calls it "an Oklahoma State Department of Health $425 plan review application fee" and gives a review turn-around of approximately thirty business days. The same page states that mobile and seasonal food establishments selling only prepackaged foods and not engaging in food preparation are not required to submit a plan review application or pay the review fee.

Food Establishment License (state license, STATE-SET fee; apply through the Tulsa Health Department)

A restaurant, coffee shop or retail store selling food anywhere in Tulsa County needs a state food establishment license. The fee is STATE-SET by the Oklahoma State Department of Health under OAC 310:250-3-1 (as amended effective September 11, 2022), applied through the Tulsa Health Department: the initial license is $425 and the annual renewal $335, and OSDH Form 543 (revised 5/29/25) prints the same figures. A renewal received thirty days or more after the expiration date costs $375, and under OAC 310:250-3-1(d) a license not renewed within ninety days of expiration is ineligible for renewal, after which the establishment pays the initial fee. THD's How to Open page states that "state food licenses are renewed annually at $335". THD's How to Open a Food Service Establishment page states: "Within Tulsa County, state and city food and beverage license applications are obtained through the THD by calling (918) 595-4300 to schedule an inspection. A facility must have its sales tax permit onsite for license applications to be issued." A business inside a city may also owe that city's own food license, which is a separate city record.

Seasonal Food Establishment License (STATE-SET fee; through the Tulsa Health Department)

A seasonal stand, such as a snow cone stand, operating in Tulsa County for part of the year can hold a seasonal food establishment license instead of an annual license. The fee is STATE-SET by the Oklahoma State Department of Health under OAC 310:250-3-1(a)(3), applied through the Tulsa Health Department: $250, and OSDH Form 543 (revised 5/29/25) lists "45 S Seasonal (180 Days)" at $250. THD's Temporary and Seasonal Food Events page states that seasonal food establishments "may obtain a license that will be valid for 180 days per year", that they "can only serve non-Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods", with liquid dairy products permitted where the facility has a commercial refrigerator, and that they must comply with the requirements of a temporary food establishment.

Shared with other businesses in Tulsa County

• Fire Marshal Occupancy Inspection (ABLE, daycare and similar inspections) — Tulsa County Development Services — Inspections, "ABLE, Daycare, OMMA, Nursing Home, etc Inspections (per building)* $200.00" with the schedule's footnote "*(depending on size)"., per inspection. Also required for childcare centres and restaurants; what it involves is set out on the childcare centres page.
• ABLE Commission Letter of Compliance (Tulsa County Inspections) — Tulsa County Development Services — Inspections, $150 per letter, per letter. Also required for restaurants; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.