Annual Invoicing Has Been Deferred Until September 30, 2021
In addition, Public Health Permits that were set to expire on June 30, 2021 will be valid until September 30, 2021. Any past due amounts for the current annual permit cycle are due and payable. Penalty notices will be sent out this month. Operating without a current public health permit is a violation of the Los Angeles County Code. For more information, please call (888) 700-9995.
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About Your Permit/License
Welcome to the Environmental Health Division's applications page. To get a Public Health Permit/License, please complete the Public Health Permit/License Application . Select the business type below to find forms, additional information, and, if applicable, Supplemental Applications. Please contact us if you have questions regarding what applications you need and the current fees.
Submitting Your Plan Electronically
Please visit our Electronic Plan Submittal Instruction Page.
Telephone
Office Hours
For complete information about Animal Keeper, please visit our Animal Keepers Page.
For complete information about body art, please visit our Body Art Page.
For complete information about cannabis, please visit our Cannabis Page.
Related Documents
- Catering Operations Standard Operating Procedures
- Reference Guide for the Food Official Inspection Report
- California Retail Food Code
For complete information about catering facilities, please visit our Catering Facilities Page.
Certified Backflow Prevention Device Tester
To become a Certified Backflow Tester, an individual must complete and pass a practical examination every two years. Applicants are required to demonstrate their ability to test double check valve assemblies, test reduced pressure principle backflow prevention devices, inspect pressure type vacuum breakers, and evaluate spill resistant pressure vacuum breakers.
Upon successful completion of the examination, the certification is valid for a two year period.
To qualify for the examination, an applicant must:
- Provide a copy of successfully passing a formal backflow prevention course
- Be employed by a California State Licensed Contractor or possess a State Contractor’s License
- Submit a Certified Backflow Tester Application with fee of $340.00 (checks/money orders payable to: Los Angeles County Public Health ).
Exams are scheduled after the Application and fee are submitted. Public Health administers the exam about three times each month at the Backflow Testing Laboratory in Baldwin Park.
Certified Backflow Prevention Device Testers must be reviewed by Public Health every two years. The re-certification fee is also $340.00.
Employer of Certified Backflow Prevention Device Tester
- Application for Employer Listing
- List of Certified Backflow Prevention Device Tester Employers
- Contractor License Requirements
For complete information about certified backflow prevention device tester, please visit our Certified Backflow Tester Page.
For complete information about children's camp, please visit our Children's Camp Page.
Environmental Health provides a convenient way to let you register for Class A Cottage Food Operator online.
For complete information about class A cottage food operators, please visit our Class A Cottage Food Operators Page.
Environmental Health provides a convenient way to let you start your Class B Cottage Food Operator application online.
For complete information about class B cottage food operators, please visit our Class B Cottage Food Operators Page.
Get a Permit on Your Backflow Prevention Assemblies
Title 8 of the Los Angeles County Code requires all persons having backflow prevention assemblies to pay the Department of Public Health an annual administrative fee of $37 per assembly. This fee is for the annual processing of the test notice(s), overseeing the testing and certifying backflow prevention assembly testers (Sec. 8.04.728). Note: Test notices are sent separately from invoices.
Please visit our Cross Connection & Water Pollution Control Frequently Asked Questions page for Questions and Answers.
For complete information about cross connections and backflow prevention devices, please visit our Backflow Prevention Devices Page.
Custom Slaughterhouses are required to obtain a permit from the Department of Food and Agriculture Meat, Poultry, and Egg, Safety Branch. Public Health only inspect the retail portion of a custom slaughterhouse. If you are planning to open a new slaughterhouse, please contact Plan Check Program. There are many custom slaughterhouses that are in operation but Public Health do not inspect them because they do not have a retail portion.
For complete information about custom slaughterhouses, please visit our Custom Slaughterhouses Page.
Related Documents
For complete information about employee cafeterias, please visit our Employee Cafeterias Page.
For complete information about certified farmers' markets, please visit our Certified Farmers' Markets Page.
Related Documents
- Approved Film Production Food Services
- Plan Check Guidelines
- Written Operational Procedures
- Mobile Food Facility Guide
- Motion Picture Permit and Operational Requirements
For complete information about film production food services, please visit our Film Production Food Services Page.
Related Documents
For complete information about food demonstrators, please visit our Food Demonstrators Page.
For complete information about food trucks, please visit our Food Trucks and Carts Page.
For complete information about food warehouses, please visit our Food Warehouses Page.
For complete information about garment and apparel facilities, please visit our Garment Manufacturing Facilities Page.
Complex water system designs will require a plumbing permit from the Los Angeles County Department of Building & Safety and a plan approval from Cross Connection & Water Pollution Control Program.
- Los Angeles County Graywater Systems for Residential Buildings Information
- Recycled Wastewater Guide
- Alternate Water Sources Guidelines
For complete information about graywater, please visit our Graywater Page.
For complete information about Hotels, Housing Facilities, and Institutions, please visit our Hotels, Housing Facilities, and Institutions Page.
The Permitting Process
In the State of California it is illegal to operate a solid waste facility except under the terms and conditions of a Solid Waste Facility Permit. Although there are several regulatory tiers, the permitting of any but the smallest facility is a time consuming and expensive endeavor. Most transfer stations, whether they are new facilities, or an expansion of an existing facility, can take up to two years for the permitting process to be completed. Landfills are rarely permitted in less than ten years.
For complete information about landfills, please visit our Landfills Page.
For complete information about commercial laundries, please visit our Laundries Page.
For complete information about self-service laundries, please visit our Self-service Laundries Page.
For complete information about massage establishments, please visit our Massage Establishments Page.
For complete information about medical marijuana identification card, please visit our Medical Marijuana Identification Card Page.
Micro Markets Related Documents
Since micro markets have similar layouts, business owners can have a "standard plan" approved by our Plan Check Program and use that plan for future micro markets at other business locations. When using an approved standard plan, the business owner can apply for the permit directly to our Specialized Food Services Program.
Please refer to the Micro Markets: Guidelines and Standard Plan Approval and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) for more details.
For complete information about micro market, please visit our Micro Markets Page.
For complete information about organized's camp, please visit our Organized Camp Page.
How to open a business
To open a pet or animal food store in any part of Los Angeles County, you must apply for a Public Health Permit and be approved to operate by your local District Surveillance and Enforcement District Office.
You will be asked to provide business or individual identity documents, such as a Business License, Seller's Permit, Articles of Incorporation, or California ID, depending on the nature of your business.
The Public Health Permit is not transferrable and must be renewed annually.
Application and Information
Sanitation and Licensing Requirements
Health and safety inspections at pet and animal food stores ensure that facilities comply with the California Retail Food Code and the Los Angeles County Code Titles 8 and 11. These requirements protect the health and safety of workers and limit the potential for infectious disease to spread.
For complete information about pet and anminal food stores, please visit our Pet and Animal Food Stores Page.
Applications and Information
- Application for Plan Approval
- Recycled Wastewater Guide
- California State Health Laws Related to Drinking Water
- Guidelines for Alternate Water Sources, such as rainwater and graywater
- Stormwater Cistern Requirements (related to rainwater collection or rain barrels)
For complete information about recycled water reuse sites, please visit our Recycled Water Reuse Sites Page.
If you have a retail restaurant or food market business, please ensure you are always up to date and compliant with local regulations and hold a valid public health license in order to conduct business.
- Application for Public Health Permit / License
- Fee Schedule: Permit Fees
- Construction Requirements for Retail Food Facilities
- How to Obtain a Restaurant (Food Facility) Permit
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Restaurants and Markets
- Food Facility Information Packet
- Grade Posting Requirements
For complete information about restaurants and retail food stores, please visit our Restaurants and Retail Food Stores Page.
To operate a school cafeteria in any part of Los Angeles County other than the cities of Vernon, and Pasadena, you must enter into a Service Agreement for Food Safety Inspections with the Department of Public Health Environmental Health Division.
School districts must submit 3 copies of the Service Agreement for Food Safety Inspections in Public School Cafeterias to the Program Planning Program of Environmental Health.
For more information on requirements and how to enter into a Service Agreement for Food Safety Inspections in Public School Cafeterias, please see the information below.
Applications and Information
- Charter School Cafeteria Food Service Requirements
- Service Agreement
- School Food Safety Inspections - Frequently Asked Questions
Sanitation and Inspection Requirements
School food safety inspections are required to comply with California Retail Food Code . These requirements protect the health and safety of workers and limit the potential for infectious disease to spread. A more complete list of the sanitary requirements is provided in the link below.
School Districts interested in entering into a service agreement with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health, must send 3 copies of the Service Agreement for Food Safety Inspections to Environmental Health Office at 5050 Commerce Drive, Baldwin Park, CA 91706. Charter schools must provide the required documentation as described on the Charter School Cafeteria Food Service Requirements . If there are any changes to a school's name, school address, mailing address, then contact the Program Planning Program.
For complete information about school cafeterias, please visit our School Cafeterias Page.
Conventional Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS)
Home and business property owners that want to install or replace an onsite wastewater treatment system must submit an application and the required documents listed on the application in order to go through the OWTS review process.
For more information on requirements and procedures for Conventional and Non-conventional Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems.
Property owners with existing Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems must have a system evaluation completed by a qualified professional when proposing property improvements.
Non-Conventional Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (NOWTS)
Home and business property owners that want to install a NOWTS must submit a covenant and agreement form.
- Non-Conventional Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (NOWTS) - Covenant and Agreement
- Non-Conventional Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (NOWTS) - Future Use - Covenant and Agreement
For complete information about septic systems, please visit our Septic Systems Page.
Permit Application
Businesses that clean septic tanks, cesspools, chemical toilets, and sewage seepage pits are required to obtain an annual Public Health Permit to register their sewage cleaning and carrying vehicles. Submit an application along with the required information listed in the "Required Documentation" section on page 1 of the application.
Download Public Health Permit/License Application and Sewage Cleaning Vehicle Registration Application
Ongoing Documentation
Businesses are required to submit Quarterly Pumper Truck Reports electronically to the Department of Public Health Land Use Program at dlanduse@ph.lacounty.gov.
Download Pumper Truck Quarterly Reporting Template
For complete information about sewage pumping vehicles or chemical toilets, please visit our Sewage Pumping Vehicles and Chemical Toilets Page.
For complete information about sidewalk food vending, please visit our Sidewalk Food Vending Page.
Los Angeles County requires property owners to demonstrate that their private domestic water well provides an adequate supply of potable water suitable for domestic use.
- Requirements and Procedures for Private and Commercial Water Wells Handbook
- Application for Well Permit
- Well Water Quality Requirements
- Application for Well Reuse after The Woolsey Fire
- Notice Regarding Changes in Horizontal Setback Requirements
- Reporting Requirement for Hexavalent Chromium (July 20, 2015)
- Disinfection of Onsite Water Storage Tanks: Best Practices Fact Sheet
For Small Water Systems
Los Angeles County Code
Consumer Confidence Reports
Template for Public Notifications: boil orders
EPA Total Coliform Rule
Recently Adopted State Drinking Water Regulations
Technical Managerial Financial Assessment for Public Water Systems
Drinking Water Source Assessment
United States EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels
Los Angeles County's Small Water System Water Quality Monitoring
Private and Commercial Water Wells
To apply for a permit and learn more about requirements for water wells, please review the guides below.
- Requirements and Procedures for Private and Commercial Water Wells Handbook
- Well Water Quality Requirements
- Disinfection of Wells After a Disaster
- Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
List of Accredited Labs
Licensed Water Haulers
Well testing
These websites provide additional insight regarding analytical methods, drinking water standards, consumer confidence reports, water conservation efforts and other valuable information for the private well owners.
Private Drinking Water Wells (EPA)
Private Ground Water Wells (CDC)
Water Quality in Private Domestic Wells (State Water Board)
A Guide for Private Domestic Well Owners
For complete information about small water systems wells, please visit our Small Water Systems Wells Page.
For complete information about solid waste facilities, please visit our Solid Waste Facilities Page.
For complete information about swimming pools, please visit our Public Pools Page.
For complete information about swimming pools, please visit our Swimming Pool Service Technician Page.
For complete information about temporary food facilities, please visit our Temporary Food Facilities Page.
How to open a business
To open a theatre in any part of Los Angeles County, you must apply for a Theater Public Health Permit and be approved to operate by your local District Surveillance and Enforcement Branch (DSE) office.
You will be asked to provide business or individual identity documents, such as a Business License, Seller's Permit, Articles of Incorporation, or California ID, depending on the nature of your business.
The Theatre Public Health Permit is not transferrable and must be renewed annually.
For more information on requirements and how to apply, see below and contact your local District Offices. You can find your District Offices address and contact information by calling (888)700-9995 or visiting our District Offices page.
Applications and Information
For complete information about theaters, please visit our Theaters Page.
For complete information about tobacco retail store, please visit our Tobacco Retail Facilities Page.
More information on waste tires, permits, and inspections is available at the CalRecycle website. Please review the Tire Management page for questions about waste tires.
CalRecycle Tire Management page
Please contact Solid Waste Permitting & Surveillance Program for questions regarding inspections.
For complete information about waste tire sites, please visit our Waste Tires Page.
For complete information about wholesale food, please visit our Wholesale Food Page.
For complete information about wiping rag businesses, please visit our Wiping Rag Page.
Applications and Information
- Radiation Shielding Application
- X-ray and Nuclear Medicine Certification and Licensing
- X-ray Machine Registration and Compliance
- Radioactive Materials Licensing and Compliance
For complete information about X-rays and radioactive devices, please visit our X-Rays and Radioactive Devices Page.