Retail Food Establishment Permit

The food establishment owner is required to submit a renewal application and permit fees prior to December 31 of each year. 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 the department within 30 days after its due date, a late fee not exceeding $100 must be paid in addition to the food permit fee before the department may issue the food permit.  Food permits will not be issued until all fees — including the late fee — are received.

Change of Ownership or Location

With the exception of mobile vendors, permits are not transferable from owner to owner or from one location to another. A new food permit application, inspection and documentation to meet the requirements for approved water source and waste water (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 [ 545.3 kB ] .

Step 1: Review the Minimum Construction Standards.

Review the Food Establishment Minimum Construction Standards [ 279.5 kB ] to verify that the building location you plan to use for food operations meets all the standards.

Step 2 (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 established requirements. Taking advantage of plan review helps food establishments avoid potential costly and time-consuming modifications.

For more information, see our Plan Review Application[ ]. If you have questions regarding the optional plan review, please email FoodInsp@FDACS.gov. 

Step 3: 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[ ].

Step 4: 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 from FDACS.

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

Step 5: (Hemp/CBD Only): Ensure You Meet All Requirements for Manufacturing, Packaging and/or Distributing Hemp Extract Foods.

All hemp extract intended for human consumption (including CBD and other cannabinoids) must meet the applicable labeling requirements found in Chapter 500, Florida Statutes (F.S.); Section 581.217(7), F.S.; and Rule 5K-4.034, Florida Administrative Code.

Step 6: Apply for a New Food Permit.

Once you have determined that your business meets all requirements, you must apply for a new food permit no more than 14 days prior to your anticipated opening date.

The application must be accompanied by the required documentation demonstrating an approved water and sewage (septic) system. 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 [ 545.3 kB ]  [ 545.3 kB ] .

Once the application and required documentation have been received, a field inspector will make contact within three to five business days to schedule an onsite inspection within two weeks. View our Food Establishment Inspection Expectations [ 135.3 kB ] document to know what to expect during your inspection.

Before your inspection, ensure that the applicable equipment for a safe food operation is working and that processes for food safety can be described by the onsite person in charge. 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.

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

Ways to Apply

Online   By Mail [ 97.4 kB ]

Step 7: Pay Your Permit Fees.

Food Establishment Permit Fees [ 103 kB ]  are determined at the time of initial inspection and are based on the type of food establishment. Fees cannot be determined prior to inspection, and payment cannot be accepted by our inspectors in the field.

An email with payment instructions will be sent to the owner's email address on file once you have an inspection summary of “Met Inspection Requirements” or “Met Inspection Requirements — Check-Back Needed." If you do not have an email address on file, your permit fee letter will be mailed. Payment is required before the food establishment permit can be issued. For fastest service, please pay online.

If you need further assistance, please email us at foodinsp@FDACS.gov or call (850) 245-5520.

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

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

Food Establishment Permit Fees [ 103 kB ] are determined at the time of initial inspection and are based on the type of food establishment. Except for hemp food establishments, fees cannot be determined prior to inspection, and payment cannot be accepted by our inspectors in the field.