DBPR announces license fee reduction for food service annual temporary events

~Cutting fees for Florida’s food industry businesses~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Hotels and Restaurants today announced a 55 percent fee reduction for obtaining an annual temporary event license for public food service establishments. The fee reduction is expected to attract more operators previously unable to afford the higher licensing cost, as well as reduce the workload required of the Department thus creating operational efficiencies.

“It’s important to vigorously find ways to provide businesses with opportunities to be successful in Florida and in this case that means cutting fees,” said Ken Lawson, Secretary of DBPR. “This fee reduction means businesses participating in temporary events such as food festivals and fairs, which are taking the state by storm, can now have an affordable avenue to participate in an infinite amount of events each year.”

Beginning in February, the food service annual temporary event license fee will cost $456, which is a reduction from the previous fee of $1,000. The Division of Hotels and Restaurants licenses and inspects public food service establishments at temporary events, such as fairs, carnivals, flea and farmers markets and other short-term events. Under current law, the DBPR is required to perform an inspection each time a temporary permit is obtained by a licensee. By making the annual temporary license more affordable, DBPR would be reducing burdensome license fees that do not make good business sense, increasing internal efficiencies and streamlining operations. Annual vendor licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase and allow the licensee to operate at an unlimited number of temporary events throughout the year. A separate license is required for each food service booth or facility. In addition to the annual vendor license, temporary event licenses can be issued for events lasting one to three days as well as four to 30 days.

The Division of Hotels and Restaurants licenses and regulates food service establishments and works to protect the health and safety of the public by providing the industry with quality inspections and fair regulation. The Division’s main priority is to ensure that food is stored, prepared and served safely for the enjoyment of Florida families and our guests.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from hotels and restaurants, real estate agents and certified public accountants to veterinarians, contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com.           

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