Who needs a food establishment permit in Virginia?
Issued by Virginia Department of Health, through your local health district, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Submit the plan review application with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops are all food establishments under the regulations.
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 Virginia Department of Health, through your local health district.
Sources and dates
Virginia Department of Health food establishment permit pages; 12VAC5-421 (Food Regulations). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Submit the plan review application with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection.
Yes. Submit the plan review application with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection.
Yes. Submit the plan review application with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection.
Yes. Submit the plan review application with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection.
Yes. Submit the plan review application with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection.
Yes. Submit the plan review application with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection.
Yes. Submit the plan review application with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection.
Yes. Submit the plan review application with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection.
Yes. Submit the plan review application with the menu, the floor plan and the equipment list before building out, then pass the pre-opening inspection.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Virginia it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
Virginia Department of Health, through your local health district.
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 Virginia? | DoorWorthy
