Who needs a food establishment permit in Missouri?
Issued by Your local public health agency (city or county health department), under the Missouri Food Code (19 CSR 20-1.025), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Missouri delegates food permits to the local public health agency, and the state inspects only where there is no local program. Submit the plan review with the menu, floor plan and equipment list before building out, pass the pre-opening inspection, then post the permit. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops are all food establishments under the code.
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 Your local public health agency (city or county health department), under the Missouri Food Code (19 CSR 20-1.025).
Sources and dates
Department of Health and Senior Services retail food program; 19 CSR 20-1.025 (Missouri Food Code); St. Louis County health permit application page; Kansas City Health Department restaurant guide. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Missouri delegates food permits to the local public health agency, and the state inspects only where there is no local program.
Yes. Missouri delegates food permits to the local public health agency, and the state inspects only where there is no local program.
Yes. Missouri delegates food permits to the local public health agency, and the state inspects only where there is no local program.
Yes. Missouri delegates food permits to the local public health agency, and the state inspects only where there is no local program.
Yes. Missouri delegates food permits to the local public health agency, and the state inspects only where there is no local program.
Yes. Missouri delegates food permits to the local public health agency, and the state inspects only where there is no local program.
Yes. Missouri delegates food permits to the local public health agency, and the state inspects only where there is no local program.
Yes. Missouri delegates food permits to the local public health agency, and the state inspects only where there is no local program.
Yes. Missouri delegates food permits to the local public health agency, and the state inspects only where there is no local program.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Missouri it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
Your local public health agency (city or county health department), under the Missouri Food Code (19 CSR 20-1.025).
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 Missouri? | DoorWorthy