Health Department Kitchen Plan Review: Nashville restaurant guide
Metro Public Health Department
What it is
Metro Health reviews your kitchen layout, equipment, finishes, sinks and plumbing before construction, under Tennessee's food service rules.
When a restaurant needs it
Whenever a food service establishment is built, extensively remodeled or converted from another use. Plans are due at least 15 days before construction starts.
How to apply
Submit the plan package to Metro Health's Kitchen Plans Review. It also appears as a Health sign-off on your Codes permit checklist (615-340-0438).
Documents you’ll need
- Scaled floor plan with all equipment, sinks, restrooms, plumbing fixtures, seating and water heaters
- Menu
- Site plan showing dumpster location
- Finish schedule for floors, walls and ceilings
- Equipment specs (non-NSF items) and hot-water sizing
- Sneeze-guard details for buffets
Good to know
Metro Health doesn't post a fixed-restaurant plan review form online. Call 615-340-0438 to confirm the current submission method and fee before you finalize drawings.
Official source
TN Dept. of Health — Plan review checklist (PDF) · Metro Codes contact list (Health kitchen plans review)
Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.