Health-department requirements

Restaurant Equipment Requirements by State

What health departments require you to install in a commercial kitchen — the universal FDA Food Code equipment mandates, plus each state’s licensing authority and plan-review reality.

What every commercial kitchen must have

These come from the FDA Food Code, which nearly every state adopts. A health inspector checks for them on plan review and at inspection — regardless of your state:

Also required in most kitchens: a mop/service sink (cleaning-water disposal), mechanical exhaust hood (Type I over grease/smoke), adequate hot water, indirect waste/air gaps on food & warewashing equipment, and a grease interceptor where local plumbing code requires it.

By state