• License and inspect food establishments
• Approve plans for all new and renovated food-related establishments
• Investigate foodborne illnesses and reports of contaminated food
• Investigate customer complaints
• Procure and analyze water samples from food establishments with privately owned wells
• Provide food safety training

License Types

Food Service Operation (FSO) License: Issued to a location or area where food is prepared and served in individual portions. Examples include restaurants, cafeterias, and schools. For additional information about obtaining FSO/RFE license, please read our Planning For Success guide.

Retail Food Establishment (RFE) License: Issued to a facility that sells prepackaged food items, or sells multiple servings of food products. Examples include grocery stores, gas stations, and most pizza shops. For additional information about obtaining FSO/RFE license, please read our Planning For Success guide.

Temporary Food License: Issued to a facility that is operated at an event for no more than five consecutive days. For more info and application, please click here.

Mobile Food License: Issued to a moveable structure which must change locations at least once every 40 days. For more info and application, please click here.

Vending Machine License: Issued to a facility that sells temperature controlled food (frozen, refrigerated, or hot food). A license is also required if the food is dispensed in an open container or cup, such as coffee, soda, soup, or  hot chocolate. For more info, please click here.

Micro Market License: Issued to an unmanned store generally located within an office building. This facility offers TCS (time and temperature controlled for safety) food and non-TCS food items for purchase via self-checkout kiosk. Equipment that dispenses TCS food (coolers/freezers/hot holding units) must have health switches that will automatically be activated in the event of a temperature control issue or power failure. For more info, please click here.

Fee Schedule

Food Safety Code

• 3717-1 Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code
• 3717 Retail Food Establishments; Food Service Operations
• 3701-21 Food Service Operations
• Chapter 901:3 Retail Food Establishments