A Temporary Food Establishment is a type of food establishment that operates for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration, including carnivals, fairs, festivals, and other events.
Who Needs to Apply:
- Fairfax County Permitted Restaurants with a current and valid Permit to Operate issued by the Fairfax County Health Department. There will be no assessment of an additional application fee to operate as a food vendor.
- Outside jurisdictions: A restaurant with a food establishment permits or license issued by a health jurisdiction other than Fairfax County that is participating as a food vendor.
- A firm that is under an inspection program conducted by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) offering unpackaged food of their product, including cutting or slicing produce items at a farmer’s market.
- A gourmet food vendor who offers unpackaged food of their product to the public.
- A valid permitted mobile food unit in a jurisdiction outside of Fairfax County.
- A demonstration cooking booth where food is offered to the public.
- Any food vendor that prepares food onsite or from an approved commissary with a valid permit.
- A food vendor with a valid Home-Based Business permit for non-TCS foods only, if the food is unpackaged.
- A restaurant that donates or sells food to a 501c3 organization.
- An organization that meets the 501c3 status with exceptions based on the VDH House Bill 57.
The permit must be posted where it can easily be seen by the public, and it is only valid for the specified permit period. This permit is not transferable.
Please contact the Health Department at 703-246-2201 or email us at HDehd@fairfaxcounty.gov, if you are not sure your operation meets the definition of a Temporary Food Establishment. Refer to Title Title 35.1-25 of the Code of Virginia for a list of exemptions to these requirements.
