Inspections – Special Events

What is the Special Events Inspection program?

The Environmental Health Unit (Unit) at Yavapai County Community Health Services (YCCHS) regulates and issues “temporary food service establishment” permits for food and beverage concessions at special events in Yavapai County. It is the Unit’s responsibility to regulate the food sold at these events. If food or drink is not prepared and handled in a sanitary manner, the public’s health may be at risk.

Special or Temporary Events include parades, street fairs, carnivals, festivals and similar events that operate for up to (14) fourteen consecutive days. The license requires that the temporary food service establishment vacate the premises at the end or termination of the event.

Requirements:

Event Coordinators: You will need to complete a Special Event Coordinator Information Sheet and file it with YCCHS Unit at least six weeks prior to your scheduled event.  This Unit requires this filing to disclose whether you will or will not be serving food and/or beverages.  There is no fee for this process.  File any changes to your application no later than seven days prior to your event.

Event Participants: In order to sell or give away any food or beverage product at an event, you are required to apply for a Special Event Food Vendor License Application. Only those vendors dispensing bottled water or canned soda (unopened, from an approved source) are exempt from obtaining a Special Event Permit. Most participants will be required to pay a license fee. Additional requirements and information are included in the application package.

A completed application and the appropriate fee must be submitted at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the event. Payments may be in cash, checks or money orders. Please make checks payable to “YCCHS”. If application and payment have not been submitted 48 hours prior to the start of the event, a late fee will be charged (Fee Schedule).

Why is it needed?

Food has the potential of spreading food-borne illness if not handled properly.  For example, improper holding temperature, poor personal hygiene, inadequate cooling, cross-contamination and foods from an unapproved source, may result in the growth of bacteria which cause disease.

Who is required to obtain a Special Event License?

Everyone in Yavapai County who sells food or gives food away to the public at a special event.

Is there a cost?

Yes, see Fee Schedule.

What are the goals of the program?

To improve safety of food being served to the public at special events.

What has the program achieved?

A safer food encounter for the public at special events in Yavapai County

Where are the services for the program available?

Anywhere a special event is held.

Contact the Yavapai County Environmental Health Unit for more information.