New Food Establishments

Food Establishment Permitting Process

NOTE: A person may NOT operate a food establishment without a valid permit to operate (2013 FDA Food Code, 8-301.11)

Permits are non-transferrable and therefore, they do NOT transfer with new ownership.

How to Obtain a Health Department Permit to Operate a Food Establishment in Jefferson County

New Establishment or New Owner – in an existing structure:

New Construction or Remodeling:

Prior Permitted Establishments with an expired permit:

If your permit has been expired more than 6 months, you must complete a New Food Establishment Permit Application Packet.
The Packet is due at least 45-days prior to the desired reopening date.

Application Process

Download the New Food Establishment Permit Submission Instructions which can be found at the bottom of this page.
Submit the plan review packet (SF-35) which can be found at the bottom of this page. Floor plans showing location of all food service equipment, including manufacturer and model number for each item, must accompany the Packet. Note: All equipment must be commercial grade. Any exceptions must be approved by the health department. A proposed menu must be included in the packet.
Our office has 45-days for processing the packet.
Once our processing is complete you will be contacted by a Sanitarian to schedule a pre-operational inspection. The pre-operational inspection must be done showing that the establishment is built in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and the establishment is in compliance with the 2013 FDA Food Code.

Food Code: The 2013 FDA Food Code can be obtained from the following link: https://www.fda.gov/food/fda-food-code/food-code-2013

Permit Regulations

Permit Period:

Permit Renewal:

Each establishment is responsible for submitting a new application (SF-5) each year along with payment. The SF-5 can be found at the bottom of this page.
Renewals are due 30 calendar days before the expiration date of the current permit.
Please see our fee schedule for current prices. Invoices are sent out as a courtesy and are not a prerequisite for submitting your application in a timely manner. These invoices are based on the previous year’s application and are subject to change once the new application has been received.
Incomplete forms or those submitted without payment will be returned. Payments received without applications will be returned.

Late Fees:

Late renewals will incur a 25% late fee. Once this fee is applied it cannot be removed from the account.

Food Cards and Certifications

Food Manager Certification:

Jefferson County requires at least one CFPM to be on site during all hours of operation at all food establishments unless only commercially prepackaged food is handled and sold.
You must have at least one CFPM prior to opening your establishment. This person(s) must hold a Certified Food Protection Manager through one of the ANSI accredited Food Protection Manager Certification Programs.
Individuals who hold an ANSI/Certified Food Protection Manager certificate are not required to obtain county food cards.
To obtain this certificate please see the following link for online course sites: https://anabpd.ansi.org/accreditation/credentialing/personnel-certification/food-protection-manager/ALLdirectoryListing?prgID=8&statusID=4

Food Cards:

Per the Jefferson County Board of Health, every employee serving, storing, or selling potentially hazardous foods or working with unpackaged food, food equipment, or utensils, or food contact surfaces in an establishment that is required to have a food establishment permit, including temporary food vendors, must have a food handler’s card, issued by the Jefferson County Health Department or a WV State food handler’s card.
Cards must be obtained within the first 30 days of hiring. See the link below for instructions on how to obtain your card: https://www.jchdwv.org/food-safety/food-handlers-cards/