Temporary Events are public events that can include State and County Fairs, City festivals, circuses, swap meets, entertainment events, cook-offs, or any other community event where food is prepared, given away or sold to the public. Temporary events usually consist of one or more food booths/operations, also known as temporary food facilities (TFF). It is the responsibility of the Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health to review all TFFs to ensure the protection and food safety of the public.
EVENT COORDINATOR:
The Event Coordinator is the person or organization that is responsible for organizing food-related activities shared by the temporary food facilities (TFF) operating at a temporary event. It is the responsibility of the Event Coordinator to be familiar with the rules and guidelines of the TFFs that will be operating at their event. He or she liaises and works closely with the Department of Environmental Health to ensure safe and successful food services at the event.
ALL EVENTS MUST SUBMIT THE EVENT ORGANIZER/COORDINATOR APPLICATION AND RECEIVE A PERMIT TO OPERATE A TEMPORARY EVENT
*If you will have two or more temporary food or beverage operations, the Event Coordinator permit fee applies.*
TO SUBMIT AN EVENT PACKET:
Complete the Event Organizer/Coordinator Permit Application located on the bottom of this page.
Identify and confirm each temporary food or beverage facility participating in your event.
Distribute all required forms and handouts to each participating temporary food facility.
A permit is required for all TFFs (unless otherwise specified) in which food or beverage (unpackaged or prepackaged) is sampled, sold, prepared, or given away to the public. These applications count towards the number of food operations when determining the Event Coordinator fee.
Annual Temporary Event Permit (ATEP) holders must submit an application for every temporary event they participate in. Failure to do so may result in immediate permit suspension or revocation. No permit fees are due for these operators. ATEP applications count towards the number of food operations when determining the Event Coordinator fee.
Out-of-county mobile food carts and vehicles must submit an application and fee. These applications count towards the number of food operations when determining the Event Coordinator fee.
Mobile food carts and vehicles permitted in Santa Clara County must have their valid operating health permit present at the event. Applications and permit fees are not required for temporary events. These operators do not count towards the number of food operations when determining the Event Coordinator fee. Provide a list containing the business name and the permit number (issued by the County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health) for each of these Mobile Food Facility operators. Submit this complete list of Mobile Food Facility operators as part of your event packet.
Collect the applications with the appropriate fees from all participating TFF operators. Please have checks made payable to The County of Santa Clara. The Event Coordinator may also choose to submit one check to cover all temporary permit fees or cash in person. Only the Event Coordinator can submit applications to the Department.
Ensure that all forms are legible and complete.
Submit a site plan that shows the locations of the food booths, toilet and hand washing facilities, waste disposal locations (garbage/trash, liquid waste, grease waste, metal waste container).
Portable toilet companies that provide portable hand washing facilities shall provide written notice that the portable hand washing facilities are washed and sanitized on a routine basis and that water tanks for hand washing facilities are filled and maintained with potable water. Submit written notice with application.
Submit your event packet (applications, forms, site plan and payments) at least 2 weeks before your event to:
Department of Environmental Health
1555 Berger Drive, Suite 300
San Jose, CA. 95112-2716
Attn: Temporary Events
Note: To help us plan for the 2013 calendar year, please complete the 2013 Event Notification Form found below for your event. Please note that this notification form is the ONLY form that can be submitted to the Department electronically.
VENDORS/TEMPORARY FOOD FACILITY OPERATORS:
Temporary Food Facilities (TFF) or food booths are food operations that operate at approved public events. A health permit is required to operate a TFF whenever food or beverage (unpackaged or prepackaged) is sampled, sold, prepared, or given away to the public. Permitted operations are inspected by the Department of Environmental Health.
Obtaining a Temporary Food Facility Permit:
Complete the application, Temporary Food Facility (Vendor), located on the bottom of this page.
Submit application and fee to the Event Coordinator. The Event Coordinator must submit the completed application and fee to the Department of Environmental Health at least 2 weeks prior to the event or a 25% late fee will apply. Applications and fees sent directly to the Department may be returned.
Once approved, you will receive your Temporary Food Facility Permit from the Event Coordinator.
The permit must be posted at your temporary food facility (i.e. booth) at all times during operation.
Operational guides and other documents are provided below to help you prepare and operate your temporary food facility in a safe and effective manner.
Inspection Reports Posted to Website:
All inspection reports are available for public review. Currently, inspection reports for Food Facilities (restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, etc.) are posted on our website. Be advised that inspection reports for all Event Coordinators and Temporary Food Facilities may be posted on our website.
Current Environmental Health Permit Fees:
ADVISORY NOTES:
SELLING FOOD OR BEVERAGES WITHOUT A VALID HEALTH PERMIT WILL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE CLOSURE OF THE FOOD FACILITY, MAY RESULT IN THE ISSUANCE OF A MISDEMEANOR CITATION, POSSIBLE FINES, AND DENIAL OF FUTURE HEALTH PERMITS.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2012, THE EVENT COORDINATOR FEES IS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF FOOD BOOTHS/OPERATIONS AT YOUR EVENT; THE FOOD VENDOR PERMIT FEE IS BASED ON THE COMPLEXITY OF THE MENU ITEMS AS WELL AS THE DURATION OF THE EVENT. THERE WILL NO LONGER BE A DISCOUNTED FEE FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
THE EVENT COORDINATOR MUST SUBMIT THE COMPLETED APPLICATION AND FEE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AT LEAST 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT OR A 25% LATE FEE WILL APPLY.
| 1 FOOD OPERATION |
$ 0.00 |
| 2 TO 10 FOOD OPERATIONS |
$ 172.00 |
| 11 TO 20 FOOD OPERATIONS |
$ 252.00
|
| 21 FOOD OPERATIONS OR MORE |
$ 343.00 |
| Risk Category 1 (RC1) Low Risk |
$ 99.00 |
$ 99.00 |
| Risk Category 2 (RC2) Moderate Risk |
$ 145.00 |
$ 202.00 |
| Risk Category 3 (RC3) High Risk |
$ 186.00 |
$ 241.00 |
Sampling Only - No food/beverage sales
Limited to small sample sizes |
$ 88.00 |
$ 88.00 |
| Mobile Food Facilities - carts/vehicles permitted by Santa Clara Co. |
No temp event fee required operating under annual permit |
- |
| Mobile Food Facilities - carts/vehicles NOT under permit by Santa Clara Co. |
Fee will depend on menu - RC 1, 2 or 3 |
Fee will depend on menu - RC 1,2,3 |
| ATEP - for business owners of fixed food facilities that they own in Santa Clara Co. |
$ 504 Annual Fee |
|
| Veteran *must submit Affidavit for a Veteran's Exemption form and all required documentation (see form) |
$ 0.00 |
$ 0.00 |
Craven Act Exemption (Donated Foods):
If a Non-Profit Organization coordinates a community event and receives 100% of food including beverages from for-profit facilities with no monetary benefit to the for-profit facility, the event may qualify for a Craven Act Exemption. Please complete the forms for the Craven Act Exemption. Submit all Craven Act forms (see below), a copy of your 501(c)3, and a cover letter describing your event to the Department, at least 2 weeks before your event. Once all required information is submitted and approved, a Craven Act exemption letter will be generated and sent to you.
TEMPORARY EVENT APPLICATIONS AND FORMS:
- Event Organizer/Coordinator Permit Application
- Temporary Food Facility (Food Vendor) Application
- Craven Act Forms:
Craven Act For-Profit Form
Craven Act Non-Profit Form
- Affidavit for a Veteran's Exemption
2013 Event Notification Form (for event coordinators)
DOCUMENTS:
- Temporary Event Requirements (slides)
- Temporary Event Requirements
- Temporary Event Self Inspection Checklist
- Floor Requirements for Temporary Food Facilities
- Temporary Event Supplies Checklist
- Temperature Log
USEFUL INFO:
- Temporary Event FAQ's
- Temporary Event Program Information
- USDA Food Safety Information Service Volunteers Guide
For more information or questions regarding Temporary Events contact:
Suzanne Lew, REHS
Senior Environmental Health Specialist
email or (408) 918-3461
Or call (408) 918-3400 and ask to speak to Administrative Support for Temporary Events