Phone: (585) 753-5064
 Fax: (585) 753-5013
 [email protected]

Open Office Hours:                                              

Monday - Friday  9am-12pm
 111 Westfall Road, Room 832
Rochester, NY 14620

Additional office hours are available by appointment. Please call 585-753-5064 to schedule. 

What we do:                                                          

• Issue permits to Food Service Establishments in Monroe County.
• Enforce Subpart 14-1, 14-2, 14-4, and 14-5 of the New York State Sanitary Code.
• Conduct routine inspections of regulated food service establishments, including restaurants, schools, bakeries, mobile vendors, and temporary food vendors.
• Respond to complaints of public health significance.
• Evaluate high risk establishments using HACCP (Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point) Principles.
• Investigate reports of food borne illness.
• Respond to emergencies that could result in food contamination such as occurs with fires, floods, power outages, and chemical and biological contamination.
• Participate in food recalls and embargoes.
• Participate in food and human specimen sampling and testing for food borne illness causing organisms or agents.
• Review plans for new and expanded facilities to ensure code compliance.
• Respond to information requests from the general public and food service operators.
   

Food Service Applications

PERMIT APPLICATIONS

• Application for a Permit to Operate a Brick & Mortar Food Service Establishment 
• Application for a Permit to Operate a Mobile Food Service Establishment (Truck, Trailer, Cart) 
  • Note that if you plan on vending in the City of Rochester, you will also need a solicitor's license from the City Clerk's Licensing Office. More information is available on the City of Rochester website.
• Application for a Permit to Operate a Vending Machine   NEW
  • For vending machines selling fresh prepared foods (e.g. salads, sandwiches, entrees, etc.)
• Application for a Permit to Operate at a Seasonal Farmer's Market
• Application for a Permit to Operate a Temporary Food Service Establishment
  • NOTE: Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit Applications must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the event start date.

PLAN APPROVAL APPLICATIONS

• Application for Approval of Plans for a Brick & Mortar Food Service Establishment
• Application for Approval of Plans for a Mobile Truck or Trailer Food Service Establishment

OTHER APPLICATIONS

• Request to Add Catering to Existing Brick & Mortar Food Service Establishment Permit 

PAYMENTS

Online Credit Card Payment (Note: An invoice must be created by our office before paying online)

• Fee Waiver Request Application Form
• Credit Card Authorization Form

Food Service Guidance Documents

• Temporary Food Service Requirements (Fairs/Festivals/Food Sampling Booths)
• Temporary Hand Wash Set-up
• Food Sampling & Tasting at Public Events
• Temporary Food Permit Exemption for Non-TCS Foods
• Seasonal Farmers Market Information
• General Requirements for New or Remodeled Food Service Establishments
• Pushcart Requirements
• Commissary Requirements
• Guidelines for Mobile Food Service Trucks/Trailers
• First Aid For Choking Poster
• Food Safety Temperature Guide
• Cooling and Reheating of Potentially Hazardous Foods
• HACCP (Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point) Principles
• Hand washing and Glove Use for Food Workers
• Procedures for Safe Storage of Eggs and Foods Made With Eggs
• Use of Hands in Preparation of Ready to Eat Foods
• Keeping Food Safe during an Emergency

NYS Sanitary Code

• Subpart 14-1 of the NYS Sanitary Code - Food Service Establishments
• Subpart 14-2 of the NYS Sanitary Code - Temporary Food Service Establishments
• Subpart 14-4 of the NYS Sanitary Code - Mobile Food Service Establishments and Pushcarts
• Subpart 14-5 of the NYS Sanitary Code - Vending of Food and Beverages

Food Allergen/Intolerance Notification Law   

Public Health Law §1356 requires food service establishments to post a notice to their employees raising food allergy awareness.  In July 2026, the law was amended to require food service establishments to label all prepackaged foods that are prepared on-site with a written notification on the package or on a label attached to the package identifying any major food allergens present in the food item. Establishments do not need to list all ingredients..

• The State law specifically requires posting of the Food Allergies and Intolerances notice in a location visible to employees. 
   
• The law also requires food service establishments provide a statement on their menu notifying customers that allergen information is available.
   
• Food service establishments that offer online ordering must also provide a way for customers to notify the establishment if they have a food allergy.
   
• Prepackaged food is defined as food that is prepared and packaged on-site prior to order and available for customer self-service and does not include food that is placed in packaging after a customer has ordered. Examples of prepackaged foods subject to this law include those placed in grab-and-go displays for customer self-service, such as pre-made salads, parfaits and sandwiches.
   
• The following are major food allergens:
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Crustacean shellfish
  • Tree nuts
  • Peanuts
  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Sesame

Food Worker Certification Documents

•  Food Worker Training Certification Requirements and Resources
•  Food Worker Training Study Materials

Call 585-753-5064 or email [email protected] if you have questions about training requirements.

NOTE: Monroe County is not currently offering classroom training.  Please refer to the Food Worker Training Certification Requirements and Resources document for a list of local and online training providers.

Foodborne Illnesses 

• U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook (Bad Bug Book)