(888) 700-9995

Important message for services provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division:

County Offices Remain Closed

On May 29^th, Governor Newsom approved the County of Los Angeles to move into Stage 3 of the Recovery Roadmap. In keeping with this directive, all Environmental Health Division service locations are still closed to members of the public, including at its headquarters located at 5050 Commerce Drive, Baldwin Park, and the following locations:

Environmental Health District Offices

For questions on how to obtain services related to plan check or health permit applications, please contact the Customer Call Center at (888) 700-9995 to be directed to the applicable program.

20-21 Public Health Permits/Licenses – Update

The Department of Public Health’s Environmental Health Division hopes you are staying safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize that so many have experienced devastating losses and hardship during these unprecedented times and appreciate all you are doing to slow the spread of COVID-19 among your employees, customers and families. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to support businesses impacted by this pandemic, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to extend the due date for this year’s invoice and to extend the validity of your current Public Health Permit/License until September 30, 2020.

If you have any additional questions, please call our Permits and Licensing Unit at (626) 430-5350.

UPDATED - Health Officer Orders and Protocols

As we have transitioned into Stage 3, this has resulted in the conditional reopening of businesses that are regulated by Environmental Health. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Hotels/motels
• Public swimming pools
• Body art facilities
• Massage establishments

On July 1, 2020, due to the continued rapid spread of COVID-19, and the need to protect the most vulnerable members of our community, the Governor has required to limit restaurants and other food facilities that prepare and serve food to outdoor dining, delivery, drive thru or carry out only. Brewpubs, bars, brewery and winery tasting rooms, and craft distilleries are to remain closed.

Please refer to the County of Los Angeles Health Officer regarding the County’s Reopening Safer At Work And In the Community for the Control of COVID-19 (Order) and reopening protocols, which are available at Los Angeles County Public Health COVID-19 page.

It is important to note that the County Health Officer Order and applicable Protocols are requirements and not simply guidance. They are required as a measure to lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure to both employees and customers. Failure to implement and ensure compliance may result in enforcement.

Environmental Health will be responding to complaints of an emergency nature along with monitoring for compliance of the Health Officer Orders which can be found at Los Angeles County Public Health COVID-19 page.

Please call (888) 700-9995, , if you should have any questions, or contact the following District offices or programs directly by visiting Environmental Health District Offices page or calling Public Services & Contact Numbers

ATTENTION:

Due to the closure of Los Angeles County offices, please mail all food facility plans for Plan Check Program to Environmental Health Division headquarters:

5050 Commerce Dr. Baldwin Park, CA 91706

For questions please call: (626) 430-5560

Creating a Safe Garment Workplace

Learn how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 in the garment workplace. Download and post this factsheet in your workplace. Available in English and Spanish.

HAND SANITIZER WARNING:

Check your hand sanitizer!

Some hand sanitizers that are made in Mexico have been found to contain methanol (wood alcohol). Methanol can cause serious health problems such as blindness, and even death.

BEWARE: HEALTH INSPECTOR IMPOSTERS

Scam artists posing as health inspectors are targeting restaurants across Los Angeles County trying to gain financial advantage by manipulating food facility owners.

While owners of food businesses, such as a restaurant or market, are normally aware of local agencies and personnel who routinely conduct inspections, food facility owners should be on alert for signs of a scam. Food facility owners are reminded:

• Under no circumstances will a genuine Environmental Health Specialist (“Health Inspector”) ask for payments, either for letter grades, other signs, or equipment.
• Scheduling appointments for routine inspections for restaurants and markets is not consistent with the current operating practices of Environmental Health Specialists.
• To require a health inspector or anyone visiting to show appropriate photo identification.

If there are any doubts about the identity of any inspector, the facility owner can contact their local Environmental Health Office to confirm that they are a current employee. If the office is unable to confirm the “health inspector’s” identity, the facility owner should contact their local law enforcement agency.

The impersonation of a public officer is a criminal offense. Anyone found impersonating a health inspector or any government employee is committing a misdemeanor.

For any questions and/or information regarding fraudulent activity contact Environmental Health at (888) 700-9995.

Businesses - Support the 2020 Census

We understand this may be a time of transition for you, your employees, and your customers. However, one of the most important actions you can take from now until August is to encourage those around you to complete their 2020 Census. Here’s why:

Unemployment Insurance Funds: In FY 2016, census data directly informed the allocation of $375 million in California to help cover unemployment insurance claims. For thousands of workers who have been laid off across the state, income claimed from their unemployment insurance is the only monetary source keeping their families afloat. Families are using these funds to continue purchasing the essential goods and services they need to survive. When you leverage your business platform to ensure everyone gets counted in the 2020 Census, you are ensuring that the fair share of funds are allocated to critical programs like unemployment insurance.

Workforce Development Funds: When your small-business may have seen a sudden growth in demand for your goods and services, it’s programs from the Wagner-Peyser Act or the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that help your business recruit workers and provide job training to help meet your specific needs. California received over $200M to cover these services using our last census count as a reference.

How can you help? Take these three action steps today!

• Use this Census Toolkit for Business Owners in LA County . The toolkit provides easy access to social media graphics, a flyer , language for employee communications, and talking points.
• Post on your social media platforms. Need ideas? Use this video series that showcases real businesses in LA County, like Pacific Plaza Premier in Alhambra, sharing information on the census. These Business Census Champions are great examples of how you can get involved. Already engaged? Let us know here and you can be featured as the next Business Census Champion!
• Send the message below to your employees via email, text, or include it in your next teleconference meeting:

  Dear employees,

  You haven’t missed your chance to participate in the 2020 Census! If your home hasn’t responded, a paper form is on the way. Check your mailbox this week for your opportunity to bring education, health care, housing, and political power to your community. If a paper form doesn’t work for you, you can respond online or by phone. There are so many ways to count yourself in the 2020 Census -- don’t wait! Go to 2020census.gov for more information.

Massage Establishment Inspection Information (updated: 02/12/2020)

On February 4, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved the Massage Ordinance from the County of Los Angeles, Office of County Counsel that requires massage establishments to obtain a public health permit and comply with new health and safety requirements. Environmental Health (EH) will issue permits to massage establishments that meet the new requirements and are located within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County or in cities that adopt the ordinance.

Please visit our Massage Establishment Information page for more information such as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese and a list of entities or individuals that are exempt from the requirements of the ordinance.