About Temporary Food Facilities
Temporary Food Facilities are a food facility approved by the local enforcement agency to operate at a fixed location for the duration of the approved community event or Swap meet temporary food facilities include public, civic, political, or educational events, including state and county fairs, city festivals, circuses, and other public gatherings approved by this department.
If food is served or sold at the temporary food facilities, the participating event organizer and temporary food facilities, including food booths, Food Trucks and Carts, and Certified Farmers’ Markets are required to obtain a health permit and follow the requirements of the California Retail Food Code (Cal Code) .
When health and safety codes are followed in temporary food facilities, it can prevent the spread of food-related illness and helps keep the community and employees healthy and safe.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health’s Environmental Health Division (EHD) inspects food booths at temporary food facilities to make sure the food provided for human consumption is safe and free of contamination. Inspections focus on food safety practices and determining compliance with the health and safety code requirements for: safe food temperatures, safe food handling, employee hygiene, an adequate supply of water and hot water, and general sanitation.
Temporary Food Facilities in Los Angeles County are subject to state and local laws and regulations. The Environmental Health Division enforces regulations in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and in contracted cities. Temporary food facilities organizers and temporary food facilities (food booths) that take place in Los Angeles County are required to obtain a health permit. They must comply with California Retail Food Code (Cal Code) requirements in order to fully operate and participate in a temporary food facilities. Please note if your business resides in the cities of Pasadena, Long Beach, or Vernon, review local guidelines to remain in compliance.
Public Health Permits for Temporary Food Facilities
If food is served or sold at a community event, the participating event organizer and temporary food facilities (food booths), are required to obtain a Community Event/Seasonal Event Permit and follow the requirements of the California Retail Food Code (Cal Code) .
- Certified Farmers' Markets Page provides information on how to obtain a health permit and the health code requirements.
- Food Trucks and Carts with a current Los Angeles County Permit may, if approved by the event organizer, participate at any community event. Food trucks and food carts not currently permitted by Los Angeles County must obtain a permit.
Community Event and Exemption Certification Application Submissions
- As of June 15 th, 2021, Los Angeles County has moved Beyond the Blueprint for a Safe Economy, which now allows for community events to take place. As a reminder, Community Event Organizer Applications are to be submitted 30 days prior to the event. Applications submitted less than 14 calendar days prior to the event (including those requesting a fee exemption) will be considered late and are subject to an additional expedited processing fee equal to 25% of the permit fee or $50.00, whichever is greater. Since the County has recently moved Beyond the Blueprint for a Safe Economy on June 15 th, 2021, the expedited processing fee will not be applied to late application submissions until August 1 st, 2021.
- Fees must be paid at the time the application is submitted.
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See more information about applications and requirements below.
- Certified Farmers' Market
- Exemption Certification for Community Event
- Community Event Organizer Application
- Community Event Temporary Food Facility Application - for food booths, food carts, and food trucks
- Agreement for Sharing of a Permitted Food Facility - for food booths, food carts, and food trucks
Additional Resources
Report a Problem
If you visit a temporary food facilities without a proper public health permit or observe health code violations in Los Angeles County, you may report this issue by calling the Customer Call Center at (888) 700-9995. or File a Complaint Online.
Contact Us
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm
Tel: (888) 700-9995
Fax: (626) 813-4833
For local district offices contact information, please visit our
District Offices Page
for complete contact information.
