Temporary Food License 

Temporary food permits allow operators to serve food to the public at a fixed location for up to 14 days. Temporary food permits are required when individuals or groups are serving food to the public at events or festivals. Temporary food permit applications are required to be submitted to the health department at least 4 business days prior to the event to avoid late fees. 

Temporary food permit costs (click here for list of fees) can vary depending on the organization and type of food being served. If you are unsure which fee is the right one for your operation, please contact Nick at ndow@bldhd.org or 231-256-0216 to obtain the correct fee for the permit.  

Forms 

• BLDHD - Online Temporary Food Permit Application 
• MDARD - Temporary Food Permit Application (PDF) 

Note: only ONE of the above applications need to be completed and submitted to BLDHD, with the appropriate fee, to obtain a permit for your temporary food establishment. If you are applying for multiple temporary food establishment permits, one application must be completed for EACH temporary food establishment. 

Resources for Temporary Food Establishment Operators  

• Temporary Foodservice Establishment – Food Safety & Licensing Guide (Courtesy of Ottawa County) (PDF) 
• Applying for and Safely Operating a Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) License (PDF)
• Pre-Event Self Inspection Check List 
• Temporary Food Establishment Operations Checklist (PDF) 

BLDHD Environmental Health Resources  

• Temporary Food Permit Fees 
• Environmental Health Program Fees (PDF)