Who needs a retail food establishment permit and plan review in Arkansas?

Issued by Arkansas Department of Health, Environmental Health Protection (your county health unit inspects), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.

9 of the 20 kinds of business in Arkansas

Submit the plans, the menu, the equipment list and the cost estimate through the plan review portal before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection. Plumbing plans are reviewed separately. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops are all retail food establishments under the rules. Plan review appointments: 501-661-2678.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Arkansas Department of Health, Environmental Health Protection (your county health unit inspects).

Sources and dates

Department of Health food protection FAQ and plan review submission portal; Rules Pertaining to Retail Food Establishments. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.