Food Establishment License & Plan Review — San Antonio Metro Health

What it is. The food establishment license required to operate a restaurant, plus a mandatory plan review. The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) serves both the city limits and unincorporated Bexar County. Plan review requires detailed blueprints (interior layout, plumbing diagrams, equipment specs, finishes); reviewers check for three-compartment sinks, handwashing stations, refrigeration, and ventilation.

Who issues it. San Antonio Metropolitan Health District — Food Safety / Sanitation (City-County layer). Health Permit Coordinator: 210-335-3045.

When you need it. Submit plans before construction/remodel (plan-review approval typically takes 2-6 weeks). A permit is issued only after inspection — and new businesses must first submit a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy proving the business is approved to open.

How to apply. Submit blueprints for plan review; obtain the Certificate of Occupancy; pass inspection; obtain the food establishment license.

Fees. Per the Metro Health fee schedule — 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

• City of San Antonio — Food Establishment License — https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/SAMHD/Licenses-Food-Permits/Food-Establishment-License — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
• City of San Antonio — Licenses & Food Permits (Metro Health) — https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/SAMHD/Licenses-Food-Permits — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02