Amendments to Public Health Fees

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division (EH) is conducting stakeholder meetings to share information on the proposed amendments to Title 8 - Consumer Protection, Business, and Wage Regulations of Los Angeles County Code, related to the updating of definitions, code sections, along with permit, plan check and service fees.

EH's operating fund is derived from permit, plan check, and service fees per State Health and Safety Code, and Los Angeles County Code. Public Health fee increases are based on changes in the Division's total operating costs. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor last approved changes to Public Health fees in 2018, as a result, the current fees are insufficient to recover the cost of the services being provided by EH.

The proposed amendments will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in November 2026 and will become effective 30 days after approval and ratification.

Why are the fees changing now?

Fees have not increased since 2018. While the fees have remained the same, costs for EH have increased annually, due to increases in negotiated employee salaries and benefits, and increases in operational costs due to inflation.

The Los Angeles County fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the following year.

*Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average change in consumer prices based on goods and services over time.

How are fees calculated and approved?

Public Health conducted a fee analysis which included an activity-based time study of two fiscal years' data (FYs 22/23 & 23/24) for direct costs and indirect costs associated with program administration, inspection, oversight and enforcement. These fees are then reviewed and approved by the Los Angeles County Department of Auditor-Controller to make sure the amount being charged is properly supported and reasonable. A comprehensive fee study was last completed in 2011.

How does this impact billing and my current permit?

Billing for the 26/27 fiscal year has concluded.

If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the new fees will go into effect December 15, 2026. Existing permitted businesses will receive a supplemental invoice for any increases in annual health permit fees for Fiscal Year 26/27, and existing businesses where annual permit fee decreased will receive a credit during the FY27/28 annual health permit billing.

What are the fee changes?

See a list of all proposed fee changes

Below are fact sheets of proposed fees for each specific industry.

• Animal Keeper
• Body Art
• Camps (Organized & Children's)
• Cannabis
• Community Events, Temporary Food Facilities, & Certified Farmers' Market
• Detention Facilities
• Drinking Water
• Garment Manufacturer, Laundry, and Wiping Rags Facilities
• Homebased Foods (Cottage Food Operations & Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations)
• Housing (Rental Housing Habitability Program & Multi-Family Dwelling)
• Mobile Food Facilities
• Onsite Wastewater Treatment System
• Permanent Retail Food Facilities
• Public Swimming Pools
• Radiology
• Recycled and Alternate Water Systems
• School Cafeterias
• Tobacco Control
• Wholesale Food

Virtual Stakeholder Webinars

Please register to the webinar you would like to attend. After completing the short Zoom registration form, you will receive an email with your unique link to join.

Each webinar will be recorded, and will be posted online once available so you can watch it later if you're unable to attend.

For more information, please review the industry fact sheet in the section above.

Questions and comments can be submitted to our survey

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