
New or Renovated Food Service Establishments



Food service establishments that are new or remodeled must make arrangements to have plans reviewed prior to construction, alteration, or use of the facility. Factors considered during this review include:
- Toilet and hand-washing facilities
- Kitchen layout, including food preparation and dishwashing areas
- Connections for water and sewer service (either public utilities or private sewage disposal)
- Location of food service equipment
- Proper lighting, ventilation and grease control
Physical submissions must be accompanied by:
- A completed Plumbing Plan Application Form.
- The $150 review fee, payable to NKY Health.
- Three complete sets of plans and two additional set of plumbing – all full-size sheets (24″x36″) – are needed.
- One of the following NKY Health Plan Review Applications (depending on establishment type):
- A completed Food Establishment Plan Review Application if your establishment is NOT a food truck.
- A completed Mobile Food Establishment Plan Review Application if your establishment IS a food truck or trailer.
Plan drawings for establishments that are NOT a mobile food establishment (food trucks) can be submitted to Ted Talley, Environmental Health Manager, Northern Kentucky Health Department, 8001 Veterans Memorial Drive, Florence, KY 41042.
Plan drawings for mobile food establishments (food trucks) can be submitted to Kevin Kellner, Environmental Health Coordinator, Northern Kentucky Health Department, 8001 Veterans Memorial Drive, Florence, KY 41042.
Electronic submissions
- Plans, applications, and supporting documentation can be submitted electronically as PDF files to ted.talley@nkyhealth.org.
- Large files may require a file hosting service, such as Dropbox.
- One complete set of plans and one additional set of plumbing – all full-size sheets (24″x36″) – must also be physically sent to Ted Talley, Environmental Health Manager, Northern Kentucky Health Department, 8001 Veterans Memorial Drive, Florence, KY 41042
Electronic submissions must include:
- A completed Plumbing Plan Application Form.
- The $150 review fee, payable to NKY Health.
- Review fee can be paid over the phone a with a credit card (no AMEX) after plans are submitted.
- A complete set of plans.
- A completed Food Establishment E-Plan Review Application and supporting documentation.
Final steps before opening
New establishments or those that have been renovated should follow these steps after plans have been reviewed or approved:
Two weeks prior to opening
- Notify Health Department of projected opening date. Contact Ted Talley Ted.Talley@nkyhealth.org at 859-363-2027. Provide establishment contact information so assigned inspector may coordinate opening inspection.
- Complete application for permit and pay appropriate fee.
- Arrange for staff to take food managers certification class.
Three to five days prior to opening
- Schedule opening inspection. All construction must be completed with required agency approval, including plumbing, building inspector, fire marshal, etc.
- Establishment must be free of construction material and debris.
- All kitchen equipment must be installed and operating properly.
- Establishment must be stocked and ready to operate.
- No critical violations and only minimal non-critical violations must be found during the opening food inspection.
One to two days prior to opening
- A follow-up inspection will occur, if needed. The inspector will verify correction of critical and non-critical violations.
More information
For more information on plan review or other steps required to open a new food service establishment or renovate an existing facility, please contact Ted Talley Ted.Talley@nkyhealth.org or call 859-363-2027.

