Dependent Food Service Operations Health Permitting
A Dependent Food Service Operator is any person or business who engages in a lease or rental agreement with the permit holder of a permitted permanent food establishment, or Shared Permanent Food Facility (SPFF), to use the SPFF to perform food production and/or food service operations to supply food and related services to the general public.
If you do not have a permanent retail food facility under permit with this Department and you wish to utilize one that another person holds the permit for to be approved to perform your food production or food service operations, then you are a dependent food service operator.
The Environmental Health Services Division (EHS) recognizes that there is a growing demand by dependent food operators to have access to the County’s local permanent food facilities to prepare their food products. EHS’s goal is to make the sharing of food facilities by multiple businesses work smoothly, while ensuring that safe food handling practices are in place to protect the public’s health.
This service allows you to apply for or renew a permit to conduct a Dependent Food Service Operation within San Luis Obispo County.
What is the process?
Read and Understand the Operational Guidelines
- Read and understand the Dependent Food Service Operator Guide to Permitting.
- Read and understand the Shared Use Permanent Food Facility Guidelines.
- If performing offsite catering operations, read and understand the Catering Operation Requirements.
Identify Type of Dependent Food Service Operation
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.
Download, Complete, and Submit Required Forms
Complete and submit the following items listed below.
Individual forms can be downloaded below:
1. Health permit application
2. Proposed menu and food service operations
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.
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.
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.
Provide proof of food safety certification
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.
Pay health permit fee
The permit fee is due with the application. Please refer to the Environmental Health Permit Fee Schedule for more information.
Schedule Inspection
Contact us if you have any questions or to schedule an inspection of your food service business prior to beginning operation.
Await Inspector Approval to Begin Operation
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.
Who is eligible?
This service is available to any individual wishing to obtain an initial permit or renew a permit to conduct a Dependent Food Service Operation within San Luis Obispo County
Is there a charge for this service?
Please refer to our Fee Schedule or contact our office at (805) 781-5544.
When and where is this service offered?
This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays.
Please visit us, email us, contact us, or call our office to begin the process.
Location, directions and hours of operation
Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information
Monday - Friday 8-5
2156 Sierra Way Suite B
San Luis Obispo , CA 93401
Tel: (805) 781-5544
Fax: (805) 781-4211
FAQS
A "catering operation" means a food service that is conducted from a permanent food facility (shared primary kitchen facility) approved for food reparation where food is served, or limited food preparation is conducted, at a location other than its permitted location as part of an off-site food service event or when operating in conjunction with a host facility.
A "dependent food service operation" is a person or business who performs a food service operation at or from a permanent food facility (shared primary kitchen facility) for which the dependent operator is not the permit holder. The food service typically involves direct sales to the customer at the shared primary kitchen facility.
A "mobile food facility" is any vehicle used in conjunction with an approved and permitted commissary or other permanent food facility, upon which food is sold or distributed retail.
