Health-department requirements

Opening a Kitchen in Missouri? Equipment You’re Required to Install

The equipment a Missouri health department expects — from the FDA Food Code — plus who licenses you here and how plan review works.
Verified from primary sources. Educational, not legal advice — always confirm with your local health department.

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.

How Missouri licenses & reviews you

Licensing authority: City and county health depts. Regime: Fully local.

KCMO has 13 distinct mobile vendor permit categories. St. Louis City layers Health permit + Street Dept permit ($500/yr or $125/quarter). St. Louis County has 88 municipalities each with own rules. A KC+STL touring truck holds 4-6 permits minimum.

New builds and remodels almost always require a plan review and a pre-opening inspection. Submit your equipment layout early — the sink count, hood, and hot-water sizing are the usual sticking points.

Local dealers who can spec a compliant kitchen

See restaurant-equipment dealers in Missouri → — many do design + fabrication and know local plan-review requirements.