Food Facilities

Public Health Licensing Information

• Current fees
• Emergency Information – flooding, power outage, contaminated water
• General Information for restaurant operators
• Oregon Food Sanitation Rules and Operator Fact Sheets
• Questions? Contact eh@clackamas.us 

Restaurants

A Public Health plan review is required for new restaurants before remodeling or when the menu is changed. This is separate from the building department plan review.

• Health inspection results are posted for public viewing
• How to open a restaurant
• Restaurant license application
• Restaurant plan review application
• Restaurant plan review guidance

Temporary Restaurant

A temporary restaurant requires a license when food is prepared or served for consumption by the public at events.

• Temporary restaurant license application
• Temporary restaurant operation guide
• Guía para la operación de restaurantes temporales (Spanish)
• Temporary restaurant plan review application (seasonal and intermittent only)

Foods Exempt from Licensing

Applies to Special Events ONLY — a temporary restaurant serving only non-potentially hazardous foods may be exempt from licensing and may need to submit a one-time Exempt Foods Agreement Form.

Check OHA's Food Code Fact Sheet # 16 to see if this exemption applies to your food booth, and if you are required to submit the agreement form. 

Exempt Food Agreement Forms should be submitted to Clackamas County Environmental Health with a $50 administrative fee. These do not expire; you must have a copy of your approved agreement form in your booth at all events and follow all of the requirements to remain exempt from temporary restaurant licensing. These are portable throughout the state of Oregon. 

Please note: the regulatory authority may require a food establishment license if there are food safety concerns associated with an exempt food service operation. 

• Exempt Foods Agreement Form
• Fact Sheet # 32: Prohibiting Bare Hand Contact at Temporary Events for Exempt Operations

Mobile Food Units (Food Carts)

Food carts and trucks are subject to the Oregon Food Sanitation Rules and must be licensed. A Public Health plan review is required for new mobile food units, remodeled units or when the menu is changed, and must be approved prior to starting construction.

Learn more about mobile food units here.

Vending Machine Licenses

Vending machines that dispense potentially hazardous (perishable) food or unpackaged drinks must be licensed.

For licensing information, please call 503-655-8384.

Food Waste Requirement

All businesses within the Metro district generating more than one 60-gallon roll cart of food scraps per week are required to separate food scraps and keep them out of the landfill by composting, donation or upstream prevention practices. Our Sustainability & Solid Waste program provides free technical assistance and support to get started.

• Learn about food waste requirements
• Request for free resources
• For questions, call 503-742-4458 or email greenbiz@clackamas.us

Other Resources

Learn how to reduce food waste at your business