About Food Service Facility Permits
Tel: (301) 883-7690
TTY/STS Dial 711 for Maryland Relay
Email: FoodProtectionProgram@co.pg.md.us
Issuance of a Health Department food service facility permit is based on the type of food served or sold in that facility and how the food is handled before, during, and after the day it is served.
Foods of concern are called potentially hazardous (including meats, fish, eggs, dairy, cooked rice and pasta, cut melon and bean sprouts). These foods are likely to grow the type of bacteria that cause illnesses if not handled properly or cooked to the right temperatures and kept hot or cold.
If you are interested in applying for a Food Service Facility permit, click on the application link in the first column under the correct category, print the application and mail it, following the instructions at the top of the form. Applications must contain an original signature - faxed applications will not be accepted.
|
Categories of Food Service Facilities |
Type of Food Served / Food Handling |
-
High Priority Food Service Facility
Permit Application (PDF)
- Full-service restaurants
Buffets
Hospitals
Nursing homes where clientele consists of the very old, very young or hospitalized persons
|
- Potentially hazardous food
is served.
- Food is cooked ahead of time, or is served as a leftover, which means it was placed in cold storage after the first cook and therefore went from hot to cold.
- Food is cooked and kept hot for service for more than 4 hours.
|
|
- Moderate Priority
Permit Application (PDF)
- Fast food restaurants where food is cooked and then served
|
- Potentially hazardous food is served.
- Food is served to the customer right away.
- Hot-served food is not kept more than 4 hours before being discarded.
|
|
- Low Priority
Permit Application (PDF)
- Where commercial food is served and sold in sealed packages
|
- Food (i.e. sodas, snack food, ice cream) is served or is sold to the customer as an unopened, commercially-prepared and packaged product
|
|
- Mobile Food Service Facility
Permit Application (PDF)
- A mechanically, electrically, manually, or otherwise propelled vehicle that is relocated following each day’s operation to an approved depot or other location acceptable to the approving authority.
|
- No sales of food are permitted on the public rights-of-way in Prince George’s County except for ice cream vendors.
- Selling of food from vehicles is only permitted on private property in association with a carnival, circus, or other similar event.
- This permit allows the handling/sale of foods for up to one year.
|
|
- Farmers Market Vendor
The following permits are required to operate a Farmer’s Market:
Permit Application (PDF)
|
- All Farmer’s Markets must have both Maryland State Department of Agriculture approval AND a Prince George’s County Department of Environmental Resources Use and Occupancy Permit.
- To sell foods other than farm products: A Prince George’s County Health Department Farmer’s Market Vendor Special Food Service Facility Permit.
- Contact the Food Protection Program staff at 301-883-7690 for more information.
|
|
- Temporary Event
Permit Application (PDF)
|
- Any food is served or is sold to the customer at a festival or fair event that is 1 to 5 days in length
- Contact the Food Protection Program staff at 301-883-7690 for more information.
|
|
Warehouse/Processing Plant
Permit Application (PDF) |
- Any food is stored for distribution, or a manufacturing plant where food is manufactured for wholesale distribution in compliance with the requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration or the United States Department of Agriculture.
|
Back to Top
|
Site Questions 
Contact Us 
Printer Version 
Business 
