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FOOD LICENSE FEES, FORMS, & APPLICATIONS
Food Establishment Licensing and Permitting
Central District Health Environmental Health Specialists permit and inspect all regulated food establishments and review plans for new and remodeled food establishments for Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties.
What are the requirements for selling food?
Establishments that offer Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS) must be licensed by the local regulatory authority. This includes restaurants and mobile food trucks/carts, grocery stores/convenience stores, temporary and catered events, institutions and concession stands and food processors.
Under Idaho law, cottage food producers can sell their food directly to consumers at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and special events. They can also deliver or pick up orders at home, or sell online.
- Cottage food producers cannot sell their products at restaurants, grocery stores, or other retail outlets. Those situations require a food processor license.
- A Cottage Food Designation must be obtained by the local regulatory authority.
CDH reviews and approves all food operations in Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley county. For licensing fees, applications and guidance, please see the sections below. If you have any questions, email Central District Health.
Why is it important to regulate TCS foods?
It’s crucial for food service establishments and individuals preparing food to follow food safety guidelines to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Regulation of TCS foods helps to:
- Ensure public health: Consuming contaminated TCS foods can result in illnesses, such as salmonella or E. coli infections that can affect many people, causing serious health risks and potential fatalities. Maintaining TCS food safety is vital in protecting public health and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
- Reduce waste: Properly handling and storing TCS foods can extend their shelf life, reducing the amount of food that goes to waste. This is economically beneficial for the operator and has a positive impact on the environment.
- Boost the economy: Outbreaks caused by consuming contaminated TCS foods can lead to financial losses for businesses and the local food economy through lawsuits and decreased customer confidence.
What Are TCS Foods?
TCS foods are also sometimes known as Potentially Hazardous Foods because they are more susceptible to bacterial growth and foodborne illnesses if not handled and stored correctly. Some of the most common TCS foods include but are not limited to:
- Meat, poultry and seafood products
- Dairy and egg products
- Cooked rice and pasta
- Tofu and other soy products
- Sliced fruit and vegetables and cut leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, kale)
- Sprouts and sprouted seeds (alfalfa, bean, broccoli sprouts)
- Soups, sandwiches, pastries and salads with TCS ingredients
What Are Cottage Foods?
Cottage food products are foods that are not sensitive to time and temperature controls, and only sold directly to an end consumer. This means that these products may not be sold by a third party. Possible locations that these items may be sold are farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and the internet. Cottage foods include but are not limited to:
- Popcorn and popcorn balls
- Baked goods, pastries and candies/confections that do not require refrigeration
- Canned fruit jams and jellies and honey
- Dried fruits, herbs and seasonings
- Cereals, trail mixes and granola
- Nuts
- Vinegar
- IDHW – Idaho Food Code
- IDHW – Idaho Food Safety Manual
- IDHW – Idaho Food Safety Manual – Spanish
- Legislature – Idaho Statutes - (Search For Title 39 Health and Safety. Chapter 16 includes the Food Establishment Act)
- DEQ – Technical Guidance Manual
How do I license a permanent food establishment (restaurant, caterer, grocery, etc.)?
NOTE: Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the planned opening of a new establishment or a change of ownership. New construction or extensive remodels prior to opening may require more than 30 days for a plan review process.
Submit completed forms to EHApps@cdh.idaho.gov.
- Food Establishment License Application
- Requires attached Floor Plan
- Requires attached Copy of Menu
- Food Safety Operational Plan Review
- Food Establishment Plan Review and Approval Form
Permanent restaurant fees – July 2022
- All permanent food establishments except those with more than two licenses on one premise: $200
- Food establishments with more than two licenses on one premise: $250
- Plan review fee for all food establishment applications: $100
Guidance documents
- Food Establishment Requirements Outline – Oct 2024
- Commissary Agreement
- Required if a commissary kitchen is used.
To be signed by operator of establishment and commissary kitchen operator.
- Required if a commissary kitchen is used.
- Growler Stations Flier – Nov 2023 – Compliance for Refilling Returnable Containers
- Request for Variance – Instructions – Dec 2023
- Request for Variance Proposal
How do I license a mobile food truck?
NOTE: Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the planned opening of a new establishment or a change of ownership. New construction or extensive remodels prior to opening may require more than 30 days for a plan review process.
Submit completed forms to EHApps@cdh.idaho.gov.
Applications – Applications for a mobile food establishment must include the following documents:
- Mobile Food Establishment License Application
- Requires attached Floor Plan
- Requires attached Copy of Menu
- Mobile Food Unit Operational Plan
- Commissary Agreement
- Required if a commissary kitchen is used.
To be signed by operator of establishment and commissary kitchen operator.
- Required if a commissary kitchen is used.
Mobile food establishment fees – July 2022
- Full service without commissary: $80
- Full service with commissary: $100
- Plan review fee for all food establishment
applications: $100
Guidance documents
- Mobile Food Plan Review Packet – Dec 2023
- Mobile Food Requirements Table – Jan 2024
- Water Truck Guidelines – Dec 2023
- Sno Shack Policy / Shaved Ice / Italian Ice – Dec 2023
How do I license a food booth or coordinate a temporary event?
Temporary Event Requirements
Temporary events include parades, street fairs, festivals and similar events that operate for a specific term not to exceed 14 consecutive days.
- All food and beverage vendors, regardless of type of food or beverage, are required to submit an application, unless already holding a current mobile or temp event permit through any Idaho health district.
- Cottage food vendors must submit a completed Temporary Event Establishment License Application.
- A copy of the current permit or documentation of unregulated status must be provided.
- A Temporary Food Establishment license application must be submitted, and a permit must be purchased for each food booth in operation during an event.
- If the vendor will be operating at more than one event on the same day and time, then an application for each event will be needed as well as any applicable fee(s).
- The annual Food Establishment License issued to restaurants and caterers for their permanent location or commissary is not applicable to a Temporary Food Establishment operation at events.
- All vendors selling and/or distributing food items (including beverages) are required to submit a Temporary Event Establishment License Application.
Temporary Event Food Establishment Fees – July 2024
- Operating for one day: $35
- Operating single event for two-three days: $45
- Operating for four days or multiple events: $80
Event coordinator guidance and applications
Event Coordinators must fill out the Notification for Special Event Application and submit it at least 30 days prior to event start date.
- Notification for Special Event – Information – Dec 2023
- Portable Sanitation Units
- Petting Zoo Guidelines – Dec 2023
Food vendor guidance and applications
- Temporary Event Food Establishment License Application
- Temporary Event Food Establishment License / Special Events Information – Nov 2023
- Temporary Event Food Manual – Oct 2023
- Guidelines for Sampling Demos – Dec 2023
- Seafood Sales – Dec 2023
Flyers, Posters and Educational Materials
- Farmers Markets / City Markets / Similar Events Information – Dec 2023
- Farmers Market No Dogs Poster #1 – Nov 2023
- Farmers Market No Dogs Poster #2 – Nov 2023
- Food Safety Notice – Oct 2023
- No Bare Hands Poster – Aug 2024
- Petting Zoo Guidelines – Dec 2023
- Idaho Food Safety Exams
Do I need a license to sell cottage foods out of my home?
Cottage foods are foods prepared in a person’s home and sold directly to consumers. These are foods defined by Idaho Food Code as non-time/temperature (non-TCS) foods. Please fill out a Cottage Foods Assessment Form to help determine if your operation qualifies as a cottage food.
A Cottage Food designation must be obtained annually. A new assessment form must be submitted each calendar year. Completed cottage Food Assessment Forms can be submitted by email at EHApps@cdh.idaho.gov or brought into any of our offices. A Health Inspector will contact you to review your operation.
Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions About Cottage Foods – Oct 2023
- Cottage Foods Assessment Form
- Cottage Foods Fact Sheet – Oct 2023
- Cottage Foods Poster 1 – Oct 2023
- Cottage Foods Poster 2 – Oct 2023
- Idaho Food Safety Exams
How do I become a food processor?
The Idaho Department of Agriculture has published Starting a Specialty Food Business in Idaho: A Comprehensive Guide – English | Spanish for anyone looking to Start a Specialty Food Business in Idaho. This booklet contains extensive information ranging from food safety to marketing your business to tax information.
Resources
- Food Processing Facility Information Requirements – Dec 2023
- Food Processing and Distributing – Requirements for Licensing – Nov 2023
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Worksheets – Nov 2023
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan Development – Dec 2023
- Reduced Oxygen Packaging for Retail Sale – Dec 2023
FAQS
Plan Review Fee: $100
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) 2nd Inspection: $200
Late Fee Jan 1-15: $35
Late Fee After Jan 15: $70
License Reinstatement: $18
Request for Variance (/Hour): $50
Compliance Conference (/Hour): $100
Enforcement and Legal Fees (/Hour): $150
CDH offers basic food safety video training and three advanced levels of food safety training for food establishment operators and their employees to assist managers in meeting the state code requirements. You review the requirements and find out how to schedule on the Food Safety Training page.
CONTACT
Can’t find the information you need? Please complete the form or give us a call.
Food Safety Program
208-327-7499
Contacts by County
Ada County
Boise, Eagle, Garden City, Hidden Springs, Kuna, Meridian, Star
Area code 83642:
208-327-8584
Area codes 83669, 83616, 83714:
208-327-8587
Area codes 83703, 83709:
208-327-8530
Area codes 83703, 83709:
208-327-8537
Area codes 83704, 83713:
208-327-8620
Area codes 83705, 83706:
208-327-8527
Boise County
Banks, Crouch, Garden Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho City, Lowman, Placerville
208-327-8532
Elmore County
Atlanta, Featherville, Glens Ferry, Hammett, Mountain Home, Pine
208-580-6004
Valley County
Cascade, Donnelly, Lake Fork, McCall, Smiths Ferry, Yellow Pine
208-321-2247
