Each year, the food establishment owner is required to submit a renewal application and permit fees prior to the expiration of their food permit. Visit our Food Permit Center to submit your renewal application and permit fees.

Late Fees

If an application for renewal of a food permit is not received by FDACS on or before its due date, a late fee not exceeding $100 must be paid in addition to the food permit fee before FDACS will issue the food permit. Food permits will not be issued until all fees, including the late fee, are received.

Change of Ownership or Location

Permits are not transferable from owner to owner or from one location to another, with the exception of mobile vendors who do not operate at a fixed location. A new food permit application, inspection and documentation to meet the requirements for approved water source and wastewater (sewage) disposal are required if you incur an ownership or location change.

For public (municipal) systems, a copy of the water and sewerage bill or an application for water sewerage (for the location) is required. Additional information is required if you operate from an on-site well or wastewater septic system. See Water and Sewer Requirements for Food Permit [ 532.5 kB ] .

Review the Minimum Construction Standards

Review the Food Establishment Minimum Construction Standards [ 273.9 kB ] to verify that the building location you plan to use for food operations meets all the standards.

Obtain Water and Sewer Documentation

Documentation demonstrating an approved water and sewage (septic) system must be submitted to FDACS. For public (municipal) systems, a copy of the water and sewerage bill or an application for water sewerage (for the location) is required. Additional information is required if you operate from an on-site well or wastewater septic system. See Water and Sewer Requirements for Food Permit [ 532.5 kB ] .

(Optional) Apply for Voluntary Plan Review

Our voluntary plan review process is designed to review your existing building or your conversion, construction or remodeling plans to evaluate conformance with the FDACS  Food Establishment Minimum Construction Standards [ 273.9 kB ] for food safety. Taking advantage of our plan review service helps food establishments avoid potentially costly and time-consuming modifications.

The initial fee to start the process is $55.10, which includes a $25 application fee and $30.10 for the first hour of plan review (plus, there will be an additional convenience fee charged for the online transaction).

The Plan Review Application [ Adobe PDF Document ] can be submitted electronically by following these steps: 

1. Submit your completed Plan Review Application [ Adobe PDF Document ] and payment using our online payment system. You will need to create a username and password.
2. After you log in, upload only the copy of the completed Plan Review Application and submit payment for the service. Save a copy of the payment confirmation.
3. Email the payment confirmation, Plan Review Application, proposed food menu (or food list), and drawings/plans in PDF format to FSPlanReview@FDACS.gov. If the plans are too large to attach (larger than 25MB), you can email them by using a file-sharing service.

Note: Plans cannot be reviewed until confirmation of payment is received.

If you need more information or have questions regarding the voluntary plan review process, email FSPlanReview@FDACS.gov. 

(If Applicable) Designate a Certified Food Protection Manager

All food establishments that process, pack, hold or prepare potentially hazardous foods at retail are required to designate a Certified Food Protection Manager.

The Certified Food Protection Manager must be able to:

• Identify any hazards in the daily operation of the food establishment;
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent foodborne illness;
• Coordinate employee food safety training, direct food preparation activities and take corrective action as needed to protect the health of the consumer; and
• Conduct periodic in-house self-inspections of daily operations to ensure that food safety policies and procedures are followed.

Learn more about the Certified Food Protection Manager.

Ensure You Meet All Processing Requirements

All food establishments must meet the training and process control requirements for the type of product and process they are conducting.

A food establishment conducting a food process that has a high risk of foodborne illness associated with it must meet additional requirements before beginning operation. The food establishment must have a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan and must obtain an FDACS Approved Process Alternative document based on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code.

Visit our Retail Food Program and Special Processes at Retail pages to verify that you have met all the requirements.

Food Permit Application

Twenty-one (21) days prior to opening, a food permit application should be submitted to FDACS. A complete food permit application includes an application, documentation demonstrating approved water and sewage (septic) system, a successful onsite inspection by FDACS, and payment of the applicable permit fee. 

Upon submission of the application and water and sewer documentation to FDACS, a field inspector will make contact within three to five business days to schedule an onsite inspection. The onsite inspection will typically be conducted within two weeks. View our Food Establishment Inspection Expectations [ 132.2 kB ] document to know what to expect during your inspection.

Applications submitted by mail may experience a delay in processing and inspection.

Ways to Apply

Apply Online   Apply by Mail [ Adobe PDF Document ]

Inspection

Once a field inspector has scheduled your initial inspection, you will need to make proper preparations to avoid delays in the issuance of your food permit. Your inspection must meet initial inspection requirements. Failure to do so will delay the process, and if the violations are not corrected it may result in denial of your food permit.

Before your inspection, ensure that the applicable equipment for a safe food operation is working and that processes for food safety can be described or demonstrated by the onsite person in charge. Failure to do so may result in delays or denial of your permit. For example, refrigeration units, thermometers and any other equipment required for your operation should be in working order for the field inspector to verify prior to permitting.

Permit Fees

Food establishment permit fees are based on the food activities occurring at the food establishment. 

Payment cannot be accepted by our inspectors in the field.

An email with payment instructions will be sent to the owner's designated email address once FDACS conducts an inspection and verifies that provisions of the Florida Food Safety Act and Chapter 5K-4, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), have been met. Payment is required before the food permit can be issued. For fastest service, please pay online.

If you need further assistance, email us at FoodSafety@FDACS.gov or call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7652).

Note: Pursuant to Section 570.161, Florida Statutes (F.S.), you must provide FDACS with an email address. 

Please refer to Section 500.3 (1)(p), F.S.

Please refer to Section 500.03 (1)(n), F.S.

Food establishment permit fees are based on the food activities conducted at the establishment as listed in Rule 5K-4.020, F.A.C.