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.

9 of the 20 kinds of business in Missouri

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

  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 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.