Food Service Regulations and Forms
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If you are concerned about health violations at a regulated establishment such as a restaurant, public swimming pool, body art studio, or motel/hotel, or have concerns about a septic system, please let us know so we can address the issue. File a complaint on our Contact Us page.
Restaurants with a perfect score on five consecutive health inspections are presented with GNR Public Health’s Flawless Five Achievement Award in recognition of their commitment to upholding exceptional health standards. Restaurants receive a signed certificate from the health department.
Other
Regulations
and Forms
Restaurants, fairs and festivals, and temporary events are some of the types of food service establishments that Environmental Health regulates. Our main purpose is to ensure that food service operators are following proper procedures to minimize the risk of dining patrons becoming ill. Environmental Health enforces state regulations that regulate food service establishments such as restaurants, mobile food service operations, school and institutional cafeterias, and catering services.
THINGS TO KNOW
Some of the functions of the Environmental Health agency regarding food service involve training food service personnel, review of plans prior to construction, permitting establishments, and conducting inspections to insure code compliance. Use the links below to find the documentation you need.
2025 GEORGIA FOOD CODE
The Georgia Department of Public Health published the 2025 Georgia Food Code in February 2025. Since then, inspectors have been providing training on the Food Code changes.
Effective January 1, 2026, Environmental Health will be enforcing the 2025 Georgia Food Code in facilities permitted prior to February 2025. Points may be debited for items not in compliance with the changes in the 2025 Food Code. Please see the documents below for additional information regarding these updates.
Food service Certification and Training
ServSafe Food Safety Manager Course
The current Georgia Food Code requires that each facility have at least one staff member that has managerial or supervisory responsibilities to hold a nationally-recognized food safety manager certification.
applications and permitting information
Find everything you need to get your food service establishment operational.
Permanent Food Service Establishments
New Construction
- 2025 Food Service Regulations (Rev. 02.2025) – English
Effective 11/1/2015, Revised 2/12/2025 to reflect changes as it relates to the adoption of 2022 FDA Food Code, to reflect changes as it relates to the authorization of mobile food service establishments from HB1443 from 12/12/24, to reflect changes to the definition of “Food Service Establishment” from SB 345, 9/17/18 to add a provision for “pop-up” restaurants, and 10/21/18 to reflect changes in catering operations to accommodate the motion picture industry. - 2015 Food Service Regulations (revised 10.21.2018) – Spanish
Does not include the 2/12/25 revision or the 9/16/20 revision that reflect changes to the definition of “Food Service Establishment” from SB 345. - Food Service Application Packet
- Public Benefits Affidavit
- Verifiable Docs
Other
- Remodel Facility Application
- Food Service – Change of Ownership Application
- Use this application ONLY if you are taking ownership of an existing, operating food service establishment, AND are NOT changing the menu or performing an extensive remodel (i.e., structural changes or installing new equipment).
- Completing the incorrect application may delay the application process. If you need help deciding which application to use, please contact your local Environmental Health department.
Special Food Service Operations
Temporary Food Service Establishments
- Temporary Event Organizers Application
- Temporary Food Service Vendor Application and Requirements
- Non-Profit Temporary Event Food Safety Brochure
Mobile Food Service Establishments
- Mobile Food Service Application
- If this is your first Mobile Unit, you must also complete the “Food
Service Application Packet” in the “Permanent Food Service
Establishments” section above. - Use this application if your Mobile Base of Operations is
PERMITTED in Gwinnett, Newton, or Rockdale counties AND you
are adding an additional mobile food unit (must complete separate
applications per mobile food unit). - If adding an additional mobile unit to an existing mobile base of
operation, a Remodel Application may be required for the base of
operations.
- If this is your first Mobile Unit, you must also complete the “Food
- Mobile Food Unit Authorization Application (for counties outside the county of origin)
- Mobile Toilet Use Agreement Form
- Mobile Property Use Agreement Form
Pop-up Food Service Establishments
county-specific applications and forms
Gwinnett
Gwinnett County Environmental Health Fee Schedule Effective January 1, 2026
Newton
Newton County Environmental Health Fee Schedule Effective January 1, 2026
Rockdale
Rockdale County Environmental Health Fee Schedule Effective July 1, 2026
required Documents and Signs
Choking Poster
No Smoking Signs
No Smoking or Vaping Beyond This Point Sign
- If smoking is allowed in a specific part of the facility, with the appropriate ventilation.
Smoking and Vaping Permitted – No One Under the Age of 21 Allowed Sign
Georgia Smoke-free Air Act of 2005
The Georgia Smoke-free Air Act of 2005 was created to protect the citizens of Georgia from exposure to secondhand smoke in most enclosed indoor public areas to which the public is invited or in which the general public is permitted. This Act was authorized under O.C.G.A Title 31, Ch. 12A – Smoke-free Air.
As of July 22, 2020, Georgia Senate Bill 375 – Tobacco 21 was signed into law, increasing the minimum age of purchase (directly or indirectly) of tobacco products from 18 to 21. Therefore, it is unlawful for any individual under the age of 21 to purchase, use, or possess any cigarettes, tobacco products, tobacco-related objects, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products.
Handwashing Signs
Employee Health Documents
Hepatitis A Information for Food Handlers
Employee Health Policy
- Employee Health Policy – English & Spanish
- Employee Health Policy – English & Korean
- Employee Health Policy – English & Chinese
Employee Health Agreements
Bodily Fluid Clean-up (Highly Recommended, Not Required)
Optional Documents and Signs
Time Control
Active Managerial Control
Storage Charts
- Storage in Coolers and Freezers – English
- Storage in Coolers and Freezers – Spanish
- Storage in Coolers and Freezers – Korean
- Storage in Coolers and Freezers – Chinese
Temperature Monitoring Charts
Manager Self-Inspection Checklist
Pets on Patio Agreement and Poster
Sample Key Drop Delivery Agreement
Non-Continuous Cooking Process Guidelines
Vegetable Sink Sign
Manual Dishwashing Sign
General
2015 Food Service Regulations (revised 10.21.2018) – English
2015 Food Service Regulations (revised 10.21.2018) – Spanish
Bodily Fluid Clean-Up Procedures
Bodily Fluid Clean-Up Kit Checklist
Storage in Coolers and Freezers – English
Storage in Coolers and Freezers – Spanish
Storage in Coolers and Freezers – Korean
Storage in Coolers and Freezers – Chinese
Refrigeration Monitoring Chart
Manager Self-Inspection Checklist
Non-Profit Temporary Event Food Safety Brochure
Pets on Patio Agreement and Poster
Sample Key Drop Delivery Agreement
Non-Continuous Cooking Process Guidelines
Mobile Food Service Application
Time Control Templates
Employee Health Documents
Employee Health Policy – English & Spanish
Employee Health Policy – English & Korean
Employee Health Policy – English & Chinese
Employee Health Reporting Agreement – English
Employee Health Reporting Agreement – Spanish
Employee Health Reporting Agreement – Korean
Special Food Service Operations
Temporary Event Organizers Application
Temporary Food Service Vendor Application and Requirements
Pop-Up Food Service: Facilitator Application
Pop-Up Food Service: Food Service Establishment Application
Mobile Food Service Application
Mobile Food Unit Authorization Application (for counties outside the county of origin)