Apply for a restaurant, grocery store, or other fixed food facility operating permit

Starting a new food venture? Before obtaining an operating permit, the layout of the food facility needs to be approved. If you're taking over an existing food business with and keeping the same menu, you will need a food facility evaluation. For new operations, if you are building a new restaurant or making changes to an existing one, a plan review is required. Besides being required before you will be eligible to operate the food facility, the facility evaluation and plan review focus on making sure that the facility meets the structural and equipment requirements of the California Retail Food Code. Sanitary designs promote safe practices and contribute to the safety of your food by focusing on: 

• Encouraging proper handwashing with the right facilities. 
• Preventing food, equipment, and utensil contamination through correct installation. 
• Maintaining safe food temperatures during storage, cooking, and cooling. 
  Keeping vermin out. 
• Simplifying maintenance and cleaning.

Here's a brief overview of what each process entails. 

Facility Evaluation/Change of Ownership

Operating permits for food facilities are unable to be passed on to new owners. If you're taking over an existing food spot, it must be evaluated before you can get a new permit. This evaluation checks if the facility meets the latest California Retail Food Code standards, and no unauthorized changes were made to the site. If everything's up to code no changes are necessary, you can apply for an operating permit once the evaluation is complete. If not, you'll will need to make some minor updates or possibly go through a more detailed plan review for bigger fixes or modifications. 

Food Facility Plan Review 

A plan review is needed in these situations: 

• Building a new retail food facility. 
• The business space did not previously have a food permit from Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health. 
• Remodeling an existing facility. 
• Installing or replacing an exhaust hood. 
• Adding or changing food service equipment. 
• Expanding service areas like bars or food prep areas. 
• Buying an existing facility and a facility evaluation suggests finds a plan review is necessary. 

After you have successfully completed one of these steps, you can file for an operating permit. 

Explore our food safety resources