Food Establishment License & Plan Review — Baltimore City Health Department

What it is. The food establishment license required to operate a restaurant, under the Baltimore City Health Department. New food service facilities or facilities under new ownership must submit plans and undergo an initial Plan Review inspection prior to license approval. Modifications to structure, equipment, layout, menu, or procedures must be reported to the plan review supervisor.

Who issues it. Baltimore City Health Department — Environmental Health (Plan Review + Food Control) (City layer). 1001 E. Fayette St; Food Control 410-396-4424; Plan Review supervisor 410-396-4544.

When you need it. Before opening (plan review + initial inspection) and to keep operating.

How to apply. Submit plans to Environmental Health Plan Review; pass the initial Plan Review inspection; obtain the food license (pay via the city's food-licensing portal).

Fees. Initial inspection $150 (includes 1 re-inspection; additional re-inspections $50 each); blueprint review $75 when required — see source (⟢ VERIFY).

Renewal. Annual.

What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.

References

• Baltimore City Health Department — Plan Review — https://health.baltimorecity.gov/environmental-health/plan-review — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
• Baltimore City — Food Facilities — https://health.baltimorecity.gov/environmental-health/food-facilities — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02