Opening a Restaurant

Thinking of opening a food service establishment or retail food store in Coles County?

Plan Review

Follow these steps when opening a new food establishment or renovating an existing food establishment in Coles County:

1. Contact the Environmental Health Division, Sanitarian Ron Bradley (217) 348-0530. Inform Mr. Bradley of your intent (example: building a new restaurant, adding a salad bar, etc.).
    
2. Review the Plan Review information you will receive via Certified Mail.
    
3. Develop and submit, along with the applicable fee (see schedule), your plans for review.  The plans must include the following information:
   • Description of proposed operation
   • Menu (all food and food products used or served)
   • Plumbing diagram
   • Floor plan, drawn to scale, with equipment layout
   • Equipment list with:
     1. brand names
     2. model numbers
     3. how the equipment is to be installed or mounted
     4. cut sheets of manufacturer’s specifications
   • Floor, wall, and ceiling finish material lists
   • Venting provisions (including compliance with the Illinois Clean Air Act)
   • Lighting diagram
      
4. You will receive written confirmation when your plans have been approved.  Complete construction of your establishment in accordance with the approved plans
    
5. Before opening for business, call for a pre-opening inspection. At the pre-opening inspection all equipment must be completely installed and operating properly. This includes the hot water, refrigerators, freezers, dish machines, etc. Please call one week in advance to schedule an inspection.
    
6. Complete the application for your permit. Prior to, or at the time of the pre-opening inspection, you will be given an application. You must complete the application and submit it along with your permit fee.
    
7. Schedule an Opening Inspection.  The Inspector will confirm your establishment has been completed in accordance with your approved plan, an application for Permit has been submitted, and all fees have been paid.  When the Permit is issued you may open for business.

Plan review fee Schedule

1. New Construction or conversion of existing structures:
    

   a.  100 to 1,000 square feet	$125.00
   b.  over 1,000 to 10,000 square feet	$175.00
   c.  over 10,000 to 50,000 square feet	$250.00
   d.  over 50,000 square feet	$300.00

2. Extensive remodeling (75% or greater of A)
    

   a.  100 to 1,000 square feet	$100.00
   b.  over 1,000 to 10,000 square feet	$150.00
   c.  over 10,000 to 50,000 square feet	$225.00
   d.  over 50,000 square feet	$275.00

3. Minor remodeling (less 75% of A)
    

   a.  100 to 1,000 square feet	$75.00
   b.  over 1,000 to 10,000 square feet	$100.00
   c.  over 10,000 to 50,000 square feet	$150.00
   d.  over 50,000 square feet	$200.00

4. Permanent Concession Facility $75.00

Contact:  Ron Bradley via Email:  rbradley@co.coles.il.us

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