Food Service

Food Service Rules and Regulations

• Food Service Chapter 511-6-1 (en español)
• Food Safety Complaint Form

Restaurant Scores

Environmental Health inspections help protect the public. Click here to search for the inspection scores of establishments near you.

Food Service Permits Applications

Standard
For applicants who wish to operate a new food service establishment, or if there is a change of ownership to an existing food service establishment. Applicants must also complete the required packet if the project involves structural modifications, unless prior approval has been obtained from the health authority.

• Basic Requirements For Opening a Restaurant
• Sample Drawing and Equipment Schedule
• Food Service Application
• Verification of Residency Form

Temporary
The organizer and vendors for a temporary food service event must submit this application 30 days before the event.

• Temporary Food Service Vendor Application
• Temporary Food Service Event Organizer Application
• Self-Inspection Checklist for Temporary Food Vendors
• Checklist for Temporary Food Vendors

Mobile and Extended Food Service/Food Trucks

• Basic Requirements for Obtaining a Mobile Food Unit Permit
• Mobile Food Service Unit Permit Application
• Permit Application for Mobile/Extended Food Service Unit
• Mobile Food Unit Authorization Application
• Mobile Food Service Unit Property Use Agreement
• Mobile Location Listing – Fillable
• Toilet Use Agreement for Mobile Food Service Unit
• Extended Food Service Unit Permit Application

Pop-up Food Services
A Pop-up Food Service operation is coordinated through a Facilitator within a building or enclosed courtyard, not to exceed 3 hours in one day. A separate permit is NOT required for “pop-up” food service operations, only a Letter of Approval issued by the Health Authority.

For more information contact your local Environmental Health Office.

Food Service Establishment Modification Application

To initiate a modification or remodel of an existing food service establishment, complete and submit this application at least 14 business days in advance and obtain approval from your local Environmental Health Office.

• Application for a Permit to Modify a Food Service Establishment

Georgia Department of Public Health Variance Information

If you would like to apply for variance of the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Rules and Regulations for Food Service, you will need to complete the below request. Once completed it it will need to be submitted to your local Environmental Health Office for preliminary review.

• DPH Process for Considering Variance and Waiver Requests
• Request for Variance From Rules and Regulations

Certified Food Safety Manager Course

Georgia Public Health requires all Food Service Establishments to have a minimun of one Certified Food Safety Manager. Click here for a list of accredited programs or contact your local Environmental Health Office for more information. 

Food Recall Alerts

• Department of Agriculture Food & Feed Recall Alerts for Georgia

Food Safety Resources

• Educational Materials on Employee Health
• Boil Water Advisory FAQs
• Drought Response Guidance 
• Foodborne Outbreak Information (CDC)
• Prevent Food Poisoning – 4 Steps 
• Employee Health and Personal Hygiene Handbook
• Choking Posters (printable): 11 x 17 and 8.5 X 11
• Handwashing Sign
• No Smoking Posters
• Dogs in Restaurants – FAQs

Food Safety During Emergencies

Food Service Establishments: If a water service interruption lasts longer than two hours, food service operations should stop serving food and beverages, unless it has an emergency operations plan approved by the local health department.

• CDC Standard Recommendations
• Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH)-related Emergencies & Outbreaks
• Food Safety During Emergencies: Power Outages, Floods, and Fires
• Water Interruption Guidance
• Water Interruption Brochue