Licenses and Permits

​​​All Food Processing and Milk and Dairy Product facilities are required to be licensed. ​

​For more information regarding Licenses and Permits please contact us at

410-767-8400 or mdh.foodlicense@maryland.gov


​Transparent Government Act of 2024 ​Compliance​ 

Permit, License, or Certification TitleA description of the application processAny changes to the process in the past 12 monthsEstimated time to determine whether an application is complete 
Estimated time to for the unit to make a determination on the application
Estimated time required to complete the application
Annual permit or inspection fee for:
Milk Producer
New Applicants:
1. The applicant submits a new license application via mail with payment.
2. The application is reviewed by Permits & Licensing (P&L) and the payment is processed.
3. The Center Section Head reviews the application and assigns a regional sanitarian for field evaluation (if required).
4. The Sanitarian conducts the inspection and the Section Head approves the application.
5. P&L issues the license and mails the license to the applicant.

Renewals:
1. The applicant submits a renewal paper application via mail with payment.
2. The application is reviewed by Permits & Licensing (P&L) and the payment is processed.
3. The Center Section Head approves the application.
4. P&L issues the license and mails the license to the applicant.
** Please NOTE: Milk Producer Applications do not expire, and therefore, they do not receive renewal applications.​
None< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary​​​
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
BobtailerNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Bulk milk hauler/samplerNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Certified industry dairy farm inspectorNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Distribution stationNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Farmstead cheese processorNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Milk processorNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Milk tank truck cleaning facilityNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Milk transportation companyNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Milk tank truckNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Receiving stationNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Transfer stationNone< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Annual license fee for:
Description of the application process
Any changes to the process in the past 12 months
Time to determine whether an application is complete
Time for the unit to make a determination on the application
​Estimated time required to complete the application
Food processing plants:
New Applicants:
1. The applicant submits a plan review application with payment via mail and the architectural plans, HACCP, Process, etc. are submitted via email - if applicable.
2. A comment letter is sent to the applicant. Once response is received and satisfies reviewers concerns, preopening inspection (if applicable) is scheduled
3. Upon a passed preopening inspection, an approval letter is sent to the applicant stating they are approved to apply for a specified license.
4. The applicant submits an application for a license with payment via mail.
5. Permits & Licensing (P&L) reviews the application and the payment is processed.
6. Once the application is approved by the designated officer (Section Head or Shellfish Standardization Officer), the license is issued and mailed to the applicant.

Renewals:
1. The applicant submits a paper application via mail with payment.
2. The application is reviewed by P&L and the payment is processed.
3. The license is issued and mailed.
Nonewithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Bakery plantNone2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
CanneryNone2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Charity deer processing plantNone2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Civic or nonprofit organizationNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Confectionary plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Crab meat plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Ice manufacturing plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Shellfish: Shucking, packing, or repacking plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Shellfish: Shipping or reshipping plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Shellfish: Seasonal shellstock shipping or reshipping plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Food manufacturing plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
A food warehouse or distribution center that distributes: Potentially hazardous foodNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
A food warehouse or distribution center that distributes: Only non-potentially hazardous foodNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Bottled water plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Soft drink manufacturing plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Frozen food manufacturing plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Seasonal food manufacturing plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
On-farm home processing plantNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Producer mobile farmer’s market unitNone.2-3 weekswithin 30 daysNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Frozen dessert mix or frozen dessert plant with manufacturing capacity of:None.New: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
0-25,000 gallonsNone.< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
25,001-100,000 gallonsNone.< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
100,001-250,000 gallonsNone.< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
250,001-500,000 gallonsNone.< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes
Over 500,000 gallonsNone.< 1 week< 1 monthNew: 10 -15 minutes to fill out application; collection of documentation is dependent on applicant and time can vary
Renewal: 10-15 minutes


Notices


This page was last updated 04/02/2025