Temporary Food Events

  

 CURRENT UPDATES


On June 8, 2021, the Board of Supervisors voted to waive temporary event permit fees for events held during Fiscal Year 2021-2022 (July 1, 2021 – June 30,2022). Late application submittal fees will still apply. For annual permits, the fee waiver will be applied at your renewal and your permit will be automatically mailed to you. This means, if you typically renew in June, you will need to pay your June 2021 permit, but the renewal in June 2022 will be waived.


On July 20, 2021, a virtual outreach session was held to share our recent business process review and introduce updated applications, resource documents, and changes to some of our permit business types. To learn more, please view our presentation slides.
 

 EVENT PERMITTING GUIDANCE


Temporary events are community events where food or beverages are sold or given away to the public. Examples of a community event include farmers markets, street fairs, festivals, musical and artistic presentations, sporting events, ethnic celebrations, and trade shows. All food and beverage vendors, including existing restaurants, are required by law to obtain a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) permit prior to participating in a temporary event. Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the event start date. Please note that applications received less than 14 days prior to an event start date or updated/modified within 14 days of the event are subject to an additional late application submittal fee.

Avoid Food Poisoning, Don’t Eat From Unpermitted Vendors! 
 

 APPLICATION RESOURCES


The California Retail Food Code (CalCode) Chapters 10 (Mobile Food Facilities), 10.5 (Nonprofit Charitable Temporary Food Facilities), 11 (Temporary Food Facilities),11.5 (Cottage Food Operations), 12 (Certified Farmers Markets), and 12.7 (Fishermens’ Markets) provide the requirements for Temporary Events.
 

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  • Organizers
    • A TFF Organizer permit is valid for one location only.
      • A single-event TFF organizer permit is valid for 1-4 consecutive days.
      • An annual TFF organizer permit can operate events throughout the year as long as they do not exceed 25 days in a 90-day period.
    • The Organizer is responsible for coordinating the event and is the direct liaison for communication with the Department of Environmental Health and Quality.
    • An updated Site Map must be submitted for each event. 
    • Utilize the Organizer Self Inspection Checklist to help prepare for the event.

       
  • Vendors
    • A TFF Vendor permit is valid for one single food booth only. Separate permits are required for each booth.
      • A single-event TFF Vendor permit is valid for 1-4 consecutive days.
      • An annual TFF Vendor permit is valid throughout the year for approved events.
    • For single-event vendors operating at more than one event in San Diego County on the same day, each location must be permitted separately.
    • Unpackaged annual permit applications must include a Commissary Agreement Letter or Out of County Commissary Agreement Letter and evidence of a Food Safety Certificate. Out of County Commissary Agreement Letters may need to be accompanied with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regarding transport of food items to and from the event.
    • Prepackaged annual permit applications are required to submit a copy of their California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Processed Food Registration (PFR) when applying for a Temporary Event Vendor Annual Prepackaged Food Vendor Permit. Learn more about how to obtain a Processed Food Registration.
    • Learn about Vendor Requirements.
    • Utilize the Vendor Self Inspection Checklist to help prepare for the event.

       
  • New Permit Applicants
    • Determine which permit type is appropriate for your operations. 
    • Submit a completed application and the applicable fees. There are three payment options: pay online, mail a check, or make payment in person. Please make checks payable to “County of San Diego”. See “How to Submit Forms” section below.
    • Health permits are issued by the Environmental Health Specialist at the event, at the commissary, or through the TFF Organizer.
    • Prepare for the event using the Vendor Self Inspection Checklist or Organizer Self Inspection Checklist.
    • Review the Watershed Protection Program Pollution Prevention Guidance Document. 

       
  • Existing Annual Permit Holders


TFF Organizer
Permit Application


TFF Vendor
Permit Application

How To Submit Forms:

IN PERSON

5500 Overland Avenue Suite #170
San Diego, CA 92123
(8AM-12PM / 1PM-4PM)
Counters are closed 12PM-1PM

EMAIL

fhdtempevents@sdcounty.ca.gov

MAIL

P.O. Box 129261
San Diego, CA 92112-9261
ATTN: FHD Temporary Events
(Allow 1 week extra to route through County mail)

Farmer's Market

Certified Farmers’ Markets

Certified Farmers’ Markets and Temporary Events presentation

Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) has created a Self-Inspection Checklist for operators at Certified Farmers' Markets. More information can be found on the AWM's Resource page.

Questions?:

  (858) 505-6809

  fhdtempevents@sdcounty.ca.gov