About Community Events
A community event is defined in CalCode as an event that is conducted for not more than 25 consecutive or nonconsecutive days in a 90-day period and that is of civic, political, public, or educational nature, including state and county fairs, city festivals, circuses and other public gathering events approved by the LA County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division (DPH-EH), Community Events Program.
A community event consist of two or more temporary food facilities (TFF)/food booth selling or giving away food to the public. A community event organizer is required to provide support for the TFF, such as restrooms, refuse, shared warewashing and handwashing facilities. The event organizer is required to obtain an Event Organizer Permit.
When does a Community Event need an Event Organizer Permit?
- Events with two or more TFF (each TFF will need its own permit)
- Events with three or more food trucks/mobile food facilities (each MFF will need its own permit)
About Temporary Food Facilities
TFF are a food facility approved by the local enforcement agency to operate at a fixed location for the duration of the approved community event or Swap meet. TFF must operate in conjunction with a community event.
What type of food facilities can operate at a community event?
- Mobile Food Facilities: Food trucks/carts/trailers
- Temporary Food Facilities: Food booths
- Cottage Food Operations: Class A and B. Additional TFF permits may be required.
- Permitted Food Facilities: Restaurants, bakeries, markets, food warehouse, etc. Additional TFF permits may be required.
Who is required to obtain a TFF permit?
- All food facilities mentioned above, except for MFF with a valid Los Angeles County Public Health Permit.
- Non-profit and/or charitable organization, may be exempt from LA County permit fees or California Health and Safety Code requirements. Must apply for Exemption Certification for Community Events for Temporary Food Facility.
If food is served or sold at the TFF, the participating event organizer and temporary food facilities, including food booths, Food Trucks and Carts, and Certified Farmers' Markets are required to obtain a health permit and follow the requirements of the California Health and Safety Code.
Food vendors participating at a community event that operate in conjunction with a Certified Farmers' Markets must obtain a TFF permit from Specialized Food Services Program, ehsfs@ph.lacounty.gov.
When health and safety codes are followed, it can prevent the spread of food-related illness and helps keep the community and employees healthy and safe.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health's Environmental Health Division (DPH-EH) inspects food booths at TFFs to make sure the food provided for human consumption is safe and free of contamination. Inspections focus on food safety practices and determining compliance with the health and safety code requirements for safe food temperatures, safe food handling, employee hygiene, an adequate supply of water and hot water, and general sanitation.
DPH-EH reviews applications for TFFs to ensure that the TFF has the equipment needed to prepare food safely, maintain food at required temperatures (hot foods at or above 135°F and cold foods at or below 45°F), wash hands, store food, and clean and sanitize food contact surfaces and utensils. Upon determination that the TFF can operate safely, a permit is issued.
Temporary Food Facilities in Los Angeles County are subject to state and local laws and regulations. The Environmental Health Division enforces regulations in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and in contracted cities. Temporary food facilities organizers and temporary food facilities (food booths) that take place in Los Angeles County are required to obtain a health permit. They must comply with California Health and Safety Code requirements in order to fully operate and participate in a temporary food facilities. Please note if your business resides in the cities of Long Beach, Pasadena, or Vernon, review local guidelines to remain in compliance.
Public Health Permits for Temporary Food Facilities
If food is served or sold at a community event, the participating event organizer and temporary food facilities (food booths), are required to obtain a Community Event/Seasonal Event Permit and follow the requirements of the California Health and Safety Code.
- Certified Farmers' Markets Page provides information on how to obtain a health permit and the health code requirements.
- Food Trucks and Carts with a current Los Angeles County Permit may, if approved by the event organizer, participate at any community event. Food trucks and food carts not currently permitted by Los Angeles County must obtain a permit.
Community Event and Exemption Certification Application Submissions
- Community Event Organizer Applications are required to be submitted 30 days prior to the event. Applications submitted less than 14 calendar days prior to the event (including those requesting a fee exemption) will be considered late and are subject to an additional expedited processing fee equal to 25% of the permit fee or $50.00, whichever is greater.
- Fees must be paid at the time the application is submitted.
- Submit applications to the Community Events Program at communityevents@ph.lacounty.gov.
Applications and Requirements
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Report a Problem
If you visit a temporary food facility without a proper public health permit or observe health code violations in Los Angeles County, you may report this issue by calling the Customer Call Center at (888) 700-9995. or File a Complaint Online.