Who needs a food establishment permit in North Carolina?
Issued by The county health department’s environmental health office, under the North Carolina Food Code (15A NCAC 18A .2600), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Submit plans and a menu to the county before building out or converting a space; franchised and chain plans go to the state plan review unit as well. The permit is issued after the opening inspection and is not transferable: a new owner applies for a transitional permit. Food eaten on the premises is permitted here; food sold to take away is inspected by the Department of Agriculture, and whichever makes up most of the sales decides.
Checked Oct 17, 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 The county health department’s environmental health office, under the North Carolina Food Code (15A NCAC 18A .2600).
Sources and dates
NC DHHS Environmental Health Section plan review unit; county plan review applications (Rowan, Durham, Forsyth). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Submit plans and a menu to the county before building out or converting a space; franchised and chain plans go to the state plan review unit as well.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
Yes. Submit plans and a menu to the county before building out or converting a space; franchised and chain plans go to the state plan review unit as well.
Yes. Submit plans and a menu to the county before building out or converting a space; franchised and chain plans go to the state plan review unit as well.
Yes. Submit plans and a menu to the county before building out or converting a space; franchised and chain plans go to the state plan review unit as well.
Yes. Submit plans and a menu to the county before building out or converting a space; franchised and chain plans go to the state plan review unit as well.
Yes. Submit plans and a menu to the county before building out or converting a space; franchised and chain plans go to the state plan review unit as well.
Yes. Submit plans and a menu to the county before building out or converting a space; franchised and chain plans go to the state plan review unit as well.
Yes. Submit plans and a menu to the county before building out or converting a space; franchised and chain plans go to the state plan review unit as well.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
No. In North Carolina it is listed for coffee shops, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and 2 more.
The county health department’s environmental health office, under the North Carolina Food Code (15A NCAC 18A .2600).
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 North Carolina? | DoorWorthy
