Health-department requirements

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

The equipment a New Jersey 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 New Jersey licenses & reviews you

Licensing authority: 90+ local boards of health under N.J.A.C. 8:24. Regime: Fully local.

Statewide substantive code, municipal licensing. Commissary mandatory with DAILY return required. Home kitchens never acceptable. Fees ~$100-500+. Health authority responds to plans within 30 days. Some counties refuse to inspect units not licensed by a municipality in their jurisdiction.

Mobile/food-truck reciprocity: NONE - explicitly no reciprocity

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 New Jersey → — many do design + fabrication and know local plan-review requirements.