1. Read and understand the Dependent Food Service Operator Guide to Permitting.
2. Read and understand the Shared Use Permanent Food Facility Guidelines.
3. If performing offsite catering operations, read and understand the Catering Operation Requirements.

A Dependent Food Service Operator may be a mobile food facility operator, a temporary food facility (food booth) operator, may provide direct sales of food products at the leased or rented permitted food establishment or host facility, or may perform off-site catering operations.

• Mobile Food Facility (MFF): If your plan is to store or prepare food items in a Commissary or other approved Shared Permanent Food Facility to then vend and/or distribute all food products from a mobile food facility then you will need to obtain a mobile food facility permit. Click here to get more information regarding obtaining a mobile food facility permit.

• Temporary Food Facility (TFF): If your plan is to store or prepare food items in a shared primary food facility to then vend and/or distribute all food products from a temporary food facility (food booth) at a community event, then you will need to obtain a temporary food facility permit. Click here to get more information regarding obtaining a temporary food facility permit.

• Other type of dependent operation food service not indicated above: If your plan is to store or prepare food items in a shared permanent food facility to then vend and/or distribute all food products from the shared permanent food facility directly to the customer or via delivery service directly to the customer, then you will need to obtain a dependent food service operator permit. This type of permit will also allow offsite catering operations (vending or distribution of food products at off-site private or public events and/or direct sales from permitted host facility), however additional forms are required. Continue to step 3.

lf you wish to perform any combination of the above services, additional permits may be required. For example, if you wish to perform both a catering operation and operate a temporary food facility at a community event, then a permit is required for each operation. Contact an Environmental Health Services inspector to determine what type of permit(s) will be required for your specific planned operation.

Complete and submit the following items listed below.

Click here to download all dependent food service operator permit application forms and documents in one packet.

Individual forms can be downloaded below:

1. Health permit application

• Click here to download the health permit application.

2. Proposed menu and food service operations

• Click here to download the Menu Items and Food service Operations form.

3. Shared Permanent Food Facility Review Form

All dependent food service operators must store all food and equipment and perform all food preparation activities in a permanent permitted food facility. The shared permanent food facility will be reviewed for approval by this department prior to granting a permit to operate. The proposed menu and food operations will determine the facility needs of the dependent operator.

• Click here to download a Shared Permanent Food Facility Review Form.

4. Shared Permanent Food Facility Use Agreement Form

A use agreement form completed and signed by both the permit holder of the shared permanent food facility and the individual requesting the a dependent food service operator permit is required.

• Click here to download a Shared Permanent Food Facility Use Agreement Form.

5. *As applicable only* - Written Operational Procedures for Catering Operators

If your plan is to perform catering operations at off-site private or public events and/or direct sales from permitted host kitchen in addition to direct sales from the shared permanent food facility, then written standard operational procedures are required.

• Click here to download the Written Operational Procedures for Catering Operators form.

Food safety certification is required whenever nonprepackaged potentially hazardous foods are handled, prepared, or served. The owner or employee must successfully pass a food safety certification course and provide proof of certification upon request for a permit to operate or within sixty (60) days of obtaining a permit to operate. A food handler card obtained through an online course will not be accepted. Download a list of food safety certification course options.

The permit fee is due with the application. Please refer to the Environmental Health Permit Fee Schedule for more information.

Contact us if you have any questions or to schedule an inspection of your food service business prior to beginning operation. 

• Information regarding requesting an inspection.

It is unlawful to begin operation of a new Dependent Food Service Operation without first receiving approval from an inspector in addition to a valid Health Permit to Operate.

The inspector will grant approval to begin operation upon completion of an initial inspection.