Who needs a food establishment permit in Delaware?
Issued by Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Food Protection, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Delaware permits food at the state level, not through county health departments. Mail the plan review application with the menu, floor plan and equipment list to the Office in Dover before building out; reviews run about 30 working days, and the permit issues after the pre-operational inspection. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops are all food establishments under the Food Code. A second re-inspection costs $50, a third $100 and later ones $150. Ask the Office of Food Protection (302-744-4546) which permit class and fee apply to your menu.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Food Protection.
Sources and dates
Office of Food Protection plan review requirements; 16 Del. C. 134 as amended in 2020; State of Delaware Food Code (16 DE Admin. Code 4458). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Delaware permits food at the state level, not through county health departments.
Yes. Delaware permits food at the state level, not through county health departments.
Yes. Delaware permits food at the state level, not through county health departments.
Yes. Delaware permits food at the state level, not through county health departments.
Yes. Delaware permits food at the state level, not through county health departments.
Yes. Delaware permits food at the state level, not through county health departments.
Yes. Delaware permits food at the state level, not through county health departments.
Yes. Delaware permits food at the state level, not through county health departments.
Yes. Delaware permits food at the state level, not through county health departments.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Delaware it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Food Protection.
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a food establishment permit in Delaware? | DoorWorthy
