Inspections - Food Facilities

What is the Food Facility Inspection program?

Inspectors conduct routine and follow-up inspections, as well as opening inspections for new or change of ownership food establishments, to insure food safety procedures are in place. Inspectors also conduct investigations when they receive concerns from the public on food establishments. A food facility may need a follow-up inspection if a violation(s) of the food code is found. If the violation is an imminent health hazard, the facility may be immediately closed. The license may be revoked for repeat violations. Food establishments are regulated under the 2017 FDA Food Code , Arizona Administrative Code  and Yavapai County Health Code and Ordinance .

Mobile Food Units and Push Carts

Mobile Food Unit Information Packet 

Under the Yavapai County Health Code and Ordinance a “Mobile Food Establishment” (also known as a mobile food unit or mobile food vendor) means a food establishment or equipment for a food establishment mounted on a motorized vehicle, a trailer, a platform with wheels, or a cabinet with wheels, regardless of whether the food establishment is pushed or pulled by a motorized vehicle or a person. A plan review is required to license a Mobile Food Establishment in Yavapai County. The plan review application can be obtained by contacting the Yavapai County Environmental Health Unit at http://www.yavapaiaz.gov/chs/Contact-Us-eh. When you submit the plan review application, you will also need to pay a plan review fee (fee schedule ). It is possible that the plan review fee will be waived if the Mobile Food Establishment has previously been licensed in Yavapai County or another health jurisdiction in Arizona. To speed up the licensing process, you may also submit your commissary agreement, provisional license application and the provisional license application fee at the same time.

Plan Reviews

Plan reviews are required for all construction of new food establishments and remodeling projects.

Food Establishment Plan Review

For Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Schools and all other food establishments Review of food establishment plans helps ensure that the proposed food establishment, modification, or extensive remodel will substantially meet the requirements of the 2009 FDA Food code and Yavapai County Health Code. All food establishments must have plans reviewed and approved before starting construction. There is a plan review application and fee required for all plan reviews.  Food establishments are regulated under the 2017 FDA Food Code , Arizona Administrative Code  and Yavapai County Health Code and Ordinance . Any remodeling that will alter the size of the food prep area and addition or deletion of equipment, plumbing, wastewater lines, or plumbing fixtures such as sinks, requires a plan review.  Minor remodeling, such as painting, new flooring, decorating the dining area, replacing equipment or fixtures with the same or similar equipment or fixture, does not need to be reviewed by the Environmental Health Unit. If in doubt, please email or call your local Environmental Health office. If you are thinking about building or remodeling your facility, our construction guide  can provide you a general overview of the requirements. However, it is recommended you contact us for specific requirements.

Process:

Building or Remodeling a Food Facility

1. Contact your local (City/Town/County) building department for all necessary permits for your construction.
2. Contact the Yavapai County Environmental Health Unit for a Plan Review application, a Food Safety Plan  Information Packet and the Fee Schedule . Yavapai County Health Code requires that all food establishments have an approved Food Safety Plan. Complete the Plan Review Application  and return it to the Environmental Health Unit with one set of plans and your plan review fee (fee schedule ). Plans must be approved prior to the start of any construction. We suggest submission of plans approximately 2-3 months prior to the start of construction.
3. After construction of your new or remodeled facility, contact your assigned inspector 1 week prior to the opening date to schedule an “Opening” inspection. (Your license application must be completed, your Provisional Permit fee paid, and your Food Safety Plan submitted and approved at the time of your “Opening” inspection.)
4. Complete your license application and submit it with your Provisional Permit fee (fee schedule ) to your inspector at the time of your “Opening” inspection. Your Provisional Permit is valid for 90 days.
5. You must be in adequate compliance with the Yavapai County Health Code when your Provisional Permit expires. When your Provisional Permit expires, we will invoice you for your Annual License. Please return the completed annual license form and fee payment. When paid and upon approval from the inspector, your Annual License will then be valid for 1 year and it will be mailed to you.

Changing Ownership of a Food Facility

1. Notify the County Environmental Health Unit of any upcoming change of ownership. The license is not transferable to the new owner and a new application must be completed. At this time, you should request a Food Safety Plan  information packet. Yavapai County Health Code requires an approved Food Safety Plan for all food establishments.
2. Contact your assigned inspector 1 week prior to the date you would like to open to schedule an “Opening” inspection. (Your license application must be completed, your Provisional Permit fee paid (fee schedule ), and your Food Safety Plan  submitted and approved at the time of your “Opening” inspection.)
3. Complete your license application and submit it with your Provisional Permit fee to your inspector at the time of your “Opening” inspection. Your Provisional Permit is valid for 90 days.
4. You must be in adequate compliance with the Yavapai County Health Code when your Provisional Permit expires. When your Provisional Permit expires, we will invoice you for your Annual License. Please return the annual license form and fee payment. When paid and upon approval from the inspector, your Annual License will be valid for 1 year and it will be mailed to you.