Retail Food Facility Licenses are issued to:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Clubs
- Food Auctions
- Grocery Stores
- Convenient Store
- Beer Distributors
- Schools
- Caterers
- Similar public food facilities where food is sold or served directly to a consumer from a physical location or facility.
All retailers are required to obtain a Retail Food Facility License PRIOR to operating a Retail Food Facility. This includes new facilities and change of ownerships for existing businesses. Licenses are non-transferable to another proprietor, new facility or location.
All New Applicants
- Download and/or print, the Application Packet – Retail Food Facilities and Restaurants.
Change of Ownership
- New owners must submit "Application Packet- Change of Owner"
Remodeling
- Currently licensed facilities must submit "Application Packet- Retail Food Facility-Remodel" to the Department prior to any remodeling or significant changes to the service, equipment, or facilities. There is no fee for the plan review application process.
- New owners who are also remodeling must submit both applications listed above.
All material must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the preparation/sale of food from a retail food facility. Failure to provide all required information can delay and/or deny your plan review. Email is the preferred method of plan review submission.
Where to submit applications
Submit completed applications and requested documentation to:
or mail / fax to:
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services
Attn: Plan Review
2301 N. Cameron St, Room 112
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Fax: 717-787-1873
Processing information
- Do not send money with this application
Important:
- If your county is under a County Health Department Jurisdiction, you should contact them directly for licensing. These counties include Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Montgomery, and Philadelphia.
The Department of Agriculture will review the plans and notify you of its approval/disapproval within 15 business days.
If approved:
- You will receive an approval letter via email or mail
- An inspector will schedule an on-site inspection of the facility
- Upon a compliant inspection, your license fee will be collected, and a Retail Food Facility License issued
If not approved:
You will be sent a letter describing why the plans were not approved. Applicants are encouraged to re-submit the plans again with the corrected or requested information.
Renewal of licenses occurs annually with notification to proprietors approximately 45 days prior to the current expiration date. Renewals can also be processed online with a user account and unique business code. If you do not receive a renewal application or know your business code, contact the department at 717-787-4315.
Contact the department at 717-787-4315 to get a copy of your license.
NEW retail food facility | $241 |
NEW under 50 seats AND owner operated | $103 |
Change of ownership | $82 |
Annual renewals | $82 |
Courtesy inspections | $150 |
2nd follow-up inspection | $150 |
3rd follow-up inspection | $300 |
Duplicate license fee | $14 |
Make checks payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” | |
Contact
Publications
- SAMPLES-Guidelines for Product Samples (PDF)
- Service Animals Allowed (PDF)
- SERVICE DOGS FAQ US DEPT OF STATE (PDF)
- Food Thermometer Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Sanitation and Food Safety in the Deli (PDF)
- Labeling Guidance for Retail Food Facilities (PDF)
- Hand Washing and Sink Use (PDF)
- Employees Wash Your Hands (PDF)
- Inspection Report Poster (PDF)
- Cleaning Up After a Norovirus Contamination Event (PDF)
- FSIS Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens (PDF)
- USDA - Beed Intended Use (PDF)