Who needs a retail food establishment license in Indiana?

Issued by Your county or city health department, under the Indiana Department of Health food code (410 IAC 7-24), 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 Indiana

The state writes the code and the county enforces it: submit the floor plan, menu and equipment list to the local health department before building out, pass the pre-opening inspection, then post the license. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops are all retail food establishments under the rule.

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 Your county or city health department, under the Indiana Department of Health food code (410 IAC 7-24).

Sources and dates

Indiana Department of Health food protection program; 410 IAC 7-24 (Retail Food Establishment Sanitation Requirements); county health department fee ordinances. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.