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How to Obtain a Restaurant (Food Facility) Permit

If you are purchasing an existing restaurant and you do not anticipate any major construction or remodeling* which requires a building permit : Contact the District Office closest to your restaurant to obtain a Public Health Permit.

If you are planning to construct a new restaurant or are making major modifications to an existing restaurant: Contact our Plan Check Program at (626) 430-5560 regarding the submission of plans.

*Major construction or remodeling means renovation or addition to a food preparation area, involving replacement or addition of equipment and/or fixtures.

Plan Submission Procedure

1. Contact your local planning/building department for permission to construct a restaurant at your chosen location and identify other local regulations (e.g., need for grease interceptors, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.) which may affect your business. If the business is located in the City of Los Angeles, you may visit Restaurant & Small Business Express Program, www.ladbs.org, and www.lacitysan.org for additional information.
2. Download/View the Retail Construction Guide from the Environmental Health. Create floor plans of your restaurant which include all of the requirements from the Retail Construction Guide and from the local building and safety office. Professionally drawn plans are best and will make the approval process much easier. Along with your plans, submit specification sheets for equipment, ventilation systems, water heaters, and finish materials for floors and walls.
3. Submit your plans for approval to the EH Plan Check Program; then submit the plans to your local building and safety office for approval. After approvals, you may begin construction. Several inspections may be needed during construction.
4. Following construction, contact your local building and safety office for final inspection and approval. Obtain final approvals from your local building and safety office.
5. Call the Plan Check Program at (626) 430-5560 to request a final inspection of your facility. Remember, you must obtain all approvals from your local building and safety office prior to your final inspection with EH Plan Check. After payment of the Public Health Permit fee is made, the permit will be issued.

Other Agencies

There are many local, State and Federal agencies that regulate businesses. Contact the following agencies to ensure you are in compliance with government requirements. For more information, try this excellent website: "Cal Gold - Business Permits Made Simple" at www.calgold.ca.gov

Contact Us

For District Office Information:

For Plan Check Office Information: