Commercial Kitchen Requirements: A Checklist for Renters

Commercial kitchen requirements set the equipment, building, and permit rules a kitchen must meet to make food for sale. To rent a kitchen, you verify that the kitchen meets these rules and you bring your own paperwork.

You are a caterer, baker, or food truck owner who needs kitchen hours. You need to know what a licensed kitchen must already have and what credentials you must provide yourself.

You can tour kitchens with this checklist and gather your papers before you apply. Kitchen counts on this page come from 1265 kitchens in 50 states listed on rentedkitchen.com.

What does a kitchen need to be commercial?

A commercial kitchen needs a health permit for food made for sale. The health department issues it after it inspects the equipment and building. Most counties set and enforce the rules, so what a kitchen needs to be commercial differs from place to place. Ask your county health department to learn the local rules.

What equipment must a commercial kitchen have?

A commercial kitchen must have dedicated equipment for dishwashing, sanitation, cooking, and storage. Most counties require the items on this list, though the exact list varies:

• A three-compartment sink for washing dishes
• A separate handwashing sink
• A mop sink
• A hood with fire suppression over cooking equipment
• Smooth surfaces that clean easily on floors, walls, and counters
• Commercial refrigeration with thermometers
• A grease trap to catch cooking fats
• Dry storage shelves off the floor

What permits and inspections does a commercial kitchen need?

The kitchen owner holds a health permit, passes a fire inspection, and holds a general business license. Health inspectors return on a schedule and inspect after consumer complaints. The kitchen must keep these records current to stay open for renters.

What does a renter need to cook in a commercial kitchen?

You need personal business and safety credentials before the owner lets you use the kitchen. Many commissary kitchens for rent ask for these items:

• A business license
• A food handler card or food manager card showing sanitation training
• Liability insurance that names the kitchen owner as an additional insured
• A health permit of your own that lists the kitchen as your base of operations

Confirm with the kitchen which documents you must submit with your application.

How do you check that a rented kitchen meets the requirements?

Ask the owner for their current health permit and their last inspection report. Look for a current service tag on the fire suppression hood. Confirm that the kitchen has the dry storage and cold storage space you need for your inventory.

On rentedkitchen.com, 594 kitchens list cold or frozen storage, and 562 kitchens list 24/7 access. You can find commercial kitchens for rent near you or use the Kitchen Match tool to filter listings by equipment.

What do people ask about commercial kitchen requirements?

Can I build a commercial kitchen on my property?

In many places yes, if you secure zoning approval, a building permit, and a health permit. Check with your city and county before you buy equipment or start construction. Renting an established kitchen avoids the construction process.

Is a home kitchen a commercial kitchen?

No, a home kitchen does not meet the layout and equipment rules of a commercial kitchen. Check cottage food laws in your state to see which shelf-stable foods you can sell from home.

How much does it cost to rent a commercial kitchen?

Nationally, 239 kitchens publish an hourly rate, with a median of $24.50 per hour. Rates vary across kitchen types, from simple shared kitchens to private ghost kitchens.