The Division of Hotels and Restaurants is responsible for licensing and administration of sanitation and safety regulations in Florida public lodging and food service establishments. Chapter 509 of Florida Statutes requires a person who plans to open a public food service establishment to apply for and receive a license from the division prior to commencement of operation. This includes food vendor at most temporary events and farmer’s market. Only licensed mobile food dispensing vehicles and licensed food service operators may prepare and serve food to the public at a temp event.
To obtain a temporary event food service license, operators will need to pass an initial licensing inspection and setup properly each time they operate. License fee for a one to three day event is $91. An annual temp event license is $456. Only money orders and cashier’s check can be accepted. No cash, credit cards, or checks will be accepted. Money orders or cashier's check should be made out to DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulations). License fees are collected after a satisfactory inspection usually the day of the event.
Set up must include but not limited to the following:
Please note that food cannot be prepared from home or at another facility unless they are prepared at the operator’s licensed commercial food service establishment (ie. operator’s licensed restaurant or catering kitchen). To set up inspection arrangements, please call 305 629-1882 . If you have any questions regarding temporary events or permanent food service licenses permitted by the division, please visit our website at: www.myfloridalicense.com or call our Customer Contact Center at 850 487-1395.
Thank you,
Division of Hotels & Restaurants
e-mail: dhr.district1@myfloridalicense.com