Temporary Food Permit

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Serving food to the public requires a valid permit from the Health Department.

If you plan preparation and service of food to the public at a temporary event, please contact the Tompkins County Health Department. All food prepared/ served at temporary events must be made at the event or at a facility currently under permit.

Application to Obtain a Temporary Food Permit

Your application must be submitted to the Tompkins County Health Department at least two weeks prior to the event to avoid expediting fee. The application will be reviewed, and if conditions of Part 14-2 of the New York Sanitary Code can be met, a permit will be issued. Please take note that fees may be required. Fees are determined based on the duration of the event (one day or multiple days) and the complexity of the menu (simple or complex menu). Our office will contact you after receiving and reviewing your application and inform you if fees are due.

Some Tompkins County restaurants may obtain permission to serve food at events other than at their restaurants. If you own/ operate a restaurant in Tompkins County, call the Health Department to find out if you are allowed to do so and for further information.

Temporary Food Permit Training

You must complete a Food Safety training quiz once a year in order to be issued a Temporary Food Service Permit.

  1. Download the food safety training course PDF(PDF, 2MB), or
  2. Go directly to the training quiz

Questions?

Go to our FAQ section for more information and applicable fees.

Fact Sheets for Temporary Food Service

Workers’ Comp & Disability Info

Your permit to operate will not be issued unless one or more of the following forms are submitted with your application.

  1. When WC/DB coverage IS provided:
    1. Workers' Compensation:
      • Form C-105.2 – Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance (issued by the applicant's insurance carrier); or
      • Form U-26.3 – Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance (issued by the State Insurance Fund); or
      • Form SI-12 – Certificate of Workers' Compensation Self-Insurance, or
      • GSI – 105.2 – Certificate of Participation in Workers' Compensation Group Self-Insurance; and
    2. Disability Benefits:
      • DB-120.1 - Certificate of Disability Benefits (issued by the applicant's insurance carrier); or
      • Form DB-155 – Certificate of Disability Benefits Self-Insurance
  2. When WC/DB coverage is not provided. (This includes Not-for-profit organizations)
    • Form CE-200 – Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from NYS Workers' Compensation and/or Disability Benefits Coverage.

If you or the organization has no employees, you/ the organization are required to have Workers’ Compensation and Disability exempt form CE-200 (no employees.)

You or your representative may access the online application at the Workers’ Compensation Board website. Click the “WC/DB Exemption” button on the Board’s main web page and then click on “Request for WC/DB Exemption (Form CE-200).” After completing the online application, the certificate of exemption can be immediately printed. The form must be dated and signed by you/ organization representative. Call 1-866-802-3604 to have an application sent to you or your organization (takes 4–6 weeks).

Frequently Asked Questions

Temporary food permits are required for events where foods are made available to the public. These permits are required in order to ensure that organizations and businesses understand the hazards involved in food preparation and service, and understand how to provide properly prepared, safe food.

Properly prepared and served foods will help prevent a foodborne illness at a Temporary Event. The amount of food preparation must be limited to cook-and-serve for temporary food service permits.

Why are Temporary Food Service Permits required?

Temporary Food Service Permits are required by the New York State Sanitary Code, Part 14-2. When you apply for a permit to serve food, the Division of Environmental Health provides education to help you understand how to provide safe food at your event.

What is a foodborne illness?

A food-related illness may occur as a result of poor food preparation and service practices. One or many people may become ill, require hospitalization and possibly die as a result of a food-related illnesses. Older people and people with other illnesses may become severely ill when they eat food that has been contaminated, mishandled or improperly prepared and/or stored.

What is a Temporary Food Establishment?

A Temporary Food Establishment is one that serves food to the public at a fixed location for no more than fourteen (14) consecutive days duration. If the event is advertised to the public (with flyers, banners, newspaper articles, listservs, or any other means) a temporary food permit is required. The requirements do not change if the food is being sold for profit or provided at no charge.

What events require temporary food permits?

Individuals or groups planning to hold events that are open to the public must obtain a permit. The Tompkins County Health Department requires that a temporary permit be obtained for each food booth operating during an event. When you hire a caterer, he/she must have a permit to operate in Tompkins County (either a temporary permit or a restaurant permit with catering).

The following are examples of events that typically require permits:

  • A fair, carnival, music event, or circus
  • Community celebrations
  • Public exhibitions
  • Sports events
  • Church events held off church property serving food to the public (Churches serving to the public more than once a week are required to obtain a year-round permit).
  • Fundraisers
  • Craft fairs
  • Open houses

Are there any events that DO NOT require temporary food permits?

Your event is not considered a temporary food service if the food is prepared or provided by members of a group for members of the group and their invited guests, such as:

  • A meeting or an event for a private or charitable organization, association, a fraternal group, or club
  • An activity in a church or other religious congregation for members
  • A gathering such as a party, picnic or potluck where food is shared.
  • Private weddings that do their own food preparation

Again, this only applies to the gathering if it is private. Any public advertisement of an event will mean a permit is required.

What about a bake sale?

A bake sale is not considered a temporary event as long as only dry baked goods, such as cookies, brownies, and cake, are offered. If you are offering baked goods with cream toppings, fillings, or pumpkin pie, a temporary permit is required.

What about a "potluck dinner"?

Please download “Keeping Potluck Meals Safe(PDF, 42KB)” for guidelines and important information. Call EH if you have any questions: 607-274-6688.

How do I get a permit?

Permit Application

If you have questions, please call us at 607-274-6688.

When should I submit an application?

An application for a temporary food establishment permit must be submitted at least two weeks prior to your event to allow time for processing of the permit. All fees must be paid prior to a permit being issued. There is no permit fee for not-for-profit organizations and/or groups.

Contact

Environmental Health Division
(607) 274-6688
Send an email

Hours
Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

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