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.

How to Apply

Please apply on the Planning and Land Use System at least 10 days prior to the event.

Step 1: Event Coordinator Registers the Event in PLUS

The Event Coordinator completes and submits the Temporary Food Event application in PLUS. As part of the application process the Event Coordinator must provide a list of participating food vendors with contact information and a layout map of the event to include location of toilets and waste disposal. Event Coordinators will receive email notifications from PLUS when a vendor applies for a TFEP for their event.

See Temporary Food Establishments Requirements & Information Packet for vendors who wish to prepare and serve food to the public during a temporary event in Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, and Falls Church.

Step 2: Vendor Applies for Permit

• See Temporary Food Establishments Requirements & Information Packet and sampling guidelines.
• Temporary Food Vendors are required to submit a as Temporary Food Establishment Permit (TFEP) application in PLUS. Within the application, select the event from the existing Event List. If the event is not listed, choose “Other” and enter the event name and details.
• The completed application and fee must be received at least ten (10) days prior to the event.

Additional Information

Training materials are available to help you navigate the new PLUS portal.