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Temporary Food Facilities (TFF)
What is a Temporary Food Facility?
The California Health and Safety Code, Sec. 114387 requires a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit from any person or organization that is providing food/drink at a public event. All food/drink vendors, including existing restaurants, are required to apply for a Temporary Food Facility Permit when participating in a Community Event. The type of permit varies on the type of food being served and how it is prepared.
Operating multiple TFF Booths at an event?
A TFF permit is valid for one single food booth only. If a vendor is operating more than one booth at an event, a permit must be obtained for each booth location. Separate applications must be submitted. If a vendor will be operating at more than one event in Nevada County on the same day, each location must also be permitted separately.
Temporary Food Facility Permits will incur a fee if the vendor has submitted less than two weeks prior to the event and will not be accepted if submitted two (2) business or working days before the event.
For more information on Community Events, please visit our Community Events page.
Prior to applying for a Temporary Food Facility Permit, please review the TFF Classifications tab to determine whether your TFF is High or Low risk.
To apply, complete the Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit Application (including the Agreement to Pay on the last page of the application) and submit to env.health@nevadacountyca.gov. Once the application is processed, you will receive an email with an invoice and online payment instructions. Applications may also be submitted over the counter at the Environmental Health office.
- Temporary Food Facilities that conduct off-site food preparation (i.e. food preparation conducted prior to the event at a permitted commissary or commercial kitchen) must submit a Commissary Usage Agreement form with their application.
- Please see our list of approved commissaries here: Approved Commissary List 01/10/2025
ATTENTION - Food storage and preparation are NOT ALLOWED to be done in a home kitchen. Unless using an approved commissary, all food must be purchased the day of the event. Receipts showing proof of purchase must be provided to the inspector at the event.
- If you are a Veteran and wish to apply for a TFF, review the Veterans Exemption form Opens a New Window. to see if you are exempt from fees (you must qualify to be exempt from fees).
- If you are submitting electronically using a fillable form, please save it to your computer both before and after completing the form, then email the completed form to us. Please make sure all fields are filled out. Please pay either online or in-person at our Nevada City or Truckee offices.
Once your application has been reviewed and approved, our department will contact you with permit information. Only then may you apply with the Event Coordinator.
For more information, please visit our Community Events page.
Community Events will incur a fee if the coordinator has submitted less than two weeks prior to the event and will not be accepted if submitted two (2) business or working days before the event.
For some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's), please review the Community Events and Temporary Food Facilities document.
Temporary Food Facility – Annual Renewal Instructions
The following instructions are to renew a previously permitted high risk temporary food facility only. - Note: if the menu for your food operation has changed, please complete the Temporary-Food-Facility---Menu and email to env.health@nevadacountyca.gov, then proceed with the instructions below.
- Locate permit number on previously issued Health Permit (PR*******) – Click here to view an example of where to find permit number.
- Navigate to the online payment website – https://payments.lexisnexis.com/ca/nevada/cda
- Click on “Environmental Health”
- Enter your permit number (PR*******)
- Enter payment amount: $238.20
- Click continue and follow onscreen instructions
After payment is received, the Health Permit will be printed and mailed. If you would like a digital copy of your permit or need further assistance, please reach out to env.health@nevadacountyca.gov
*** Please keep in mind you will need to track your own renewal. We do not send out invoices to remind you to renew your permit. ***
TFF Classifications:
| Food Classification | Examples | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Potentially Hazardous
Pre-Packaged Food |
Prepackaged sandwiches, ice cream bars, pastries, baked goods, milk, etc., from an approved facility OR held or made in a food compartment. | HIGH |
| Potentially Hazardous Unpackaged Food | Hamburgers, hotdogs, tacos, chicken, roasted corn and potatoes, chow mein, scooped ice cream, yogurt, dairy products, etc… | HIGH |
| Non-Potentially Hazardous | Dispensing of wine, beer, soda or water from original manufacturer's packaging to single use cups. | LOW |
| Non-Potentially Hazardous Pre-Packaged Food | Candy, cookies, popcorn, potato chips, or raw produce. | LOW |
| Non-Potentially Hazardous Unpackaged Food | Uncovered or unpackaged productions of non-potentially hazardous foods: popcorn, cotton candy, pastries, baked goods, bulk nuts, beef jerky, etc. Sampling Allowed. | LOW |
Forms and Applications
- Agreement to Pay Form
- Commissary Verification Form
- Temporary Food Facility Application Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window.
- Veterans Exemption Form Opens a New Window.
Temporary Food Facility Fees
| Annual Renewal (High Risk) | $238.20 |
| Annual Renewal (Low Risk) | No Fee |
| High-Risk Application | $238.20 |
| Low-Risk Application | No Fee |
| Veterans Exemption | No Fee |