What Are Health Permits?
Health permits and approvals administered by the Kansas City Health Department extend beyond food service operations. The Health Department's Environmental Public Health Program oversees a wide range of permits, registrations, notifications, inspections, and compliance activities related to food establishments, mobile vendors, lodging facilities, pools and spas, air quality and open burning, asbestos projects, beekeeping registrations, environmental health programs, and other public health-related activities.
The department issues permits, reviews applications, conducts inspections, and helps ensure compliance with local, state, and federal health and safety regulations.
Find more information on the Kansas City Health Department City page .
Types of Health Permits
Food Establishment Permit
Required for businesses that store, prepare, package, serve, vend, or otherwise provide food directly to consumers. This includes restaurants, cafés, grocery stores, caterers, food vendors, mobile food units, and similar operations that handle or distribute food for human consumption.
Food establishments may operate from permanent, temporary, stationary, or mobile locations and may serve food on-site or through delivery services.
More information is available on the Kansas City Health Department restaurant opening page .
Temporary Food Permit
Required for short-term food service at events, festivals, fundraisers, pop-ups, and other temporary food operations.
A Temporary Food Establishment is a food vendor that has been granted permission by the KCMO Health Department to prepare, serve, or sell food for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.
More information is available on the Food Permits for Mobile Units, Catering, Farmers Markets, and Similar Vendors page .
Permanent Food Establishment vs. Temporary Food Establishment
| Permanent Food Establishment | Temporary Food Establishment |
|---|---|
| Operates year-round or on a continual basis. | Operates only during a specific event. |
| Usually located in a fixed facility. | Often located at fairs, festivals, markets, or community events. |
| Requires annual permit renewal. | Permit is valid only for the approved event. |
| Subject to routine inspections throughout operation. | Inspected in connection with the event. |
| Examples: restaurants, grocery stores, cafés, and bakeries. | Examples: festival food booths, fundraiser concessions, and event vendors. |
Mobile Food Unit, Pushcart, Farmers Market, and Similar Vendors
Mobile units, pushcarts, farmers market vendors, seasonal vendors, and outdoor cooking operations must obtain the appropriate food permit from the Health Department.
These vendors may need a commissary or ghost kitchen with a current food establishment permit.
More information is available on the Food Permits for Mobile Units, Catering, Farmers Markets, and Similar Vendors page .
Missouri Cottage Food Law Info
Some home-based food businesses may qualify to operate under Missouri's Cottage Food Law and may not require a Food Establishment Permit from the Kansas City Health Department. A cottage food production operation is an individual operating from their primary residence who produces certain non-potentially hazardous foods and sells them directly to consumers.
| Allowed Under Missouri Cottage Food Law | Not Allowed Under Missouri Cottage Food Law |
|---|---|
| Non-perishable baked goods | Meat and dairy products |
| Canned jams and jellies made from standard high-sugar recipes | Refrigerated goods |
| Dried herbs | Salsas, syrups, and sauces |
| Dried herb mixes | Dried fruits and vegetables |
| Candy and fudge |
Labeling Requirements
All products must be properly labeled, including:
- Cottage food operation name and address
- Common product name, ingredients in order by weight, net weight, and any allergens
- A statement that the food is not inspected by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services or a local health authority
More information can be found on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services food safety FAQ page .
Sampling Permit
Allows approved vendors to provide small food or beverage samples to promote a product. Samples must be prepared at a permitted facility, meet food safety requirements, and the permit must be renewed annually. Samples are limited to portions of 2 ounces or less.
Healthy Homes Rental Inspection Program
Required registration for residential rental property owners operating medium- to long-term rental housing in Kansas City, Missouri. The program helps ensure rental properties meet local health, safety, and habitability standards through registration, inspections, and code compliance.
More information is available on the Healthy Homes Rental Inspection Program page .
Lodging Establishment Permit
Required for hotels, motels, extended-stay facilities, resorts, tourist courts, apartment hotels, dormitories, cabins, bed and breakfasts meeting local requirements, and similar lodging businesses that provide eight or more guest rooms for transient or permanent guests.
The permit helps ensure lodging establishments meet Kansas City requirements for:
- Health and sanitation
- Fire and life safety
- Building maintenance
- Water supply and plumbing
- Pest control
- Housekeeping standards
- Guest safety and emergency preparedness
More information and applications are available on the Environmental Health Services page .
All applications can be found on the Environmental Health Services website . Applications must be submitted online, by mail, or in person at 2400 Troost Ave., Suite 3200, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Opening a New Food Establishment
Opening a restaurant or other food establishment in Kansas City requires planning, approvals, and inspections before a permit can be issued. Before starting the application process, operators should have a clear business concept, a finalized menu, and a location selected.
If you are building a new facility or making renovations to an existing space, plans may need to be submitted to City Planning & Development for review and approval before moving forward with the permitting process.
More information is available on the opening a restaurant in Kansas City page .
What to Expect
Step 1: Finalize Your Concept and Menu
Your menu determines many of the food safety and equipment requirements for your establishment. Before applying, decide what food and beverages you will prepare, serve, or sell.
Step 2: Select a Location
Choose a location that meets your operational needs. Check the previous use of the space, because a Change of Use may be required. If the space requires construction, remodeling, plumbing, ventilation, or electrical modifications, additional approvals may be required before opening.
The Planning Department can assist with questions or concerns at 816-513-1500.
Additional permit information is available on the Other Permits page .
Step 3: Complete Any Required Plan Reviews
New construction, major renovations, or changes to food preparation areas may require review by City Planning & Development and the Health Department. Plans may be evaluated for compliance with building, plumbing, fire, and food code requirements.
Step 4: Submit Your Permit Application
Applicants must submit a Food Establishment Permit Application along with required supporting documents, including identification, business documentation, and a finalized menu.
Additional requirements may include:
- Fire inspection documentation. To schedule an inspection, contact firemarshal@kcmo.org or call 816-513-4610 or 816-513-4611.
- Required occupancy approvals. More information on obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy is available on the Records Requests and Freedom of Information Act page .
- Applications may be submitted online , by mail, or in person at 2400 Troost Ave., Suite 3200, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Food-related permit information is available on the Health Department food permits page .
Step 5: Schedule a Pre-Opening Inspection
Once the application is reviewed, a Health Department inspector will contact you to schedule a pre-opening inspection. The establishment must be fully operational and meet all applicable food safety requirements at the time of inspection.
Step 6: Receive Your Permit and Open for Business
After successfully passing the inspection and paying the required permit fees, the Food Establishment Permit will be issued. Businesses are still required to have either a business license or a convention and tourism license to operate within Kansas City, Missouri.
Contact
Environmental Public Health Program
2400 Troost Ave., Suite 3200
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: (816) 513-6315
Fax: (816) 513-6290
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM