Food Service Permit — Annual Renewal

Overview

Your Fulton County Food Service Permit authorizes you to legally operate a food establishment. It must be renewed annually and is subject to at least one unannounced inspection per year. High-risk establishments (full-service restaurants with extensive menus) may receive two or more inspections annually.

Renewal Process

1. Fulton County EHS will send a renewal notice before your permit expires
2. Pay the annual renewal fee (fees vary by establishment type and seating capacity)
3. EHS will schedule or conduct an unannounced inspection during the renewal period
4. Your renewed permit is issued after a passing inspection

Fulton County Environmental Health Services Phone: (770) 520-7500 Website: fultoncountyboh.com

What Inspectors Look For

Georgia's food inspection scoring system (Chapter 511-6-1) classifies violations as:

Priority Violations (most critical — can result in immediate closure):

• Improper cooking temperatures (poultry must reach 165°F internal)
• Improper cold holding (food above 41°F for more than 4 hours)
• No Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff
• Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food
• Sewage backup or plumbing failure

Priority Foundation Violations:

• No written employee health policy
• No date labels on prepared foods
• Improper cooling procedures
• Handwashing station not accessible or stocked

Core Violations:

• Equipment in disrepair
• Physical facility issues (floors, walls, ceilings)
• Pest evidence

Preparing for Your Annual Inspection

• Post your current Food Service Permit visibly
• Ensure CFPM certificate is current and posted (certificates expire every 5 years)
• Verify refrigeration units are holding at or below 41°F
• Check that handwashing stations are stocked with soap and paper towels at all times
• Review date-labeling on all prepared foods
• Confirm your written employee health policy is on file

What SpoonSeal tracks

The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.