Before beginning construction, renovation, or operation of any facility that sells potentially hazardous foods, you must obtain approval from the Health Department.  Potentially hazardous foods include, but are not limited to, milk and milk products, meat, fish, poultry, cheese, raw seed sprouts, melons, and a number of vegetable products.  

If you are building a restaurant or opening one in a building where no permitted restaurant exists, you must submit 2 complete sets of architectural plans to the Land Use and Environmental Services Agency for review and approval.  In addition, plans must be submitted prior to construction of changes in the dimensions of food preparation areas, seating capacity, or the addition of rooms to existing food service facilities.

The following items must be submitted for review:

• A completed plan review application and a menu indicating the items to be prepared/served.
• A site plan which identifies facility property lines, parking areas, and the location of outside solid waste and grease storage containers.
• Details indicating equipment design, layout, and placement.  The drawing must be accurately drawn to scale and the scale used identified on the plan.  A complete equipment list including make and model numbers or manufacturers specifications must also be included.
• Complete plumbing details which includes type of water supply and wastewater disposal, water supply piping, backflow prevention devices, and water heater (hot water generating equipment) specifications.
• Wastewater information indicating the placement and direction of piping to include floor drains, floor sinks, and complete toilet specifications.
• Complete finish schedule for floors, walls, and ceilings identifying the materials, color, and composition of these surfaces.
• Electrical specifications identifying the placement of outlets, junction boxes, and panels.
• Schedule of lighting fixtures and methods of shielding bulbs in food preparation, storage, and warewashing areas.

• Ventilation diagram of exhaust, return, and hood system specifications

NOTE: Effective November 6, 2002, a plan review fee in the amount of $200 must be paid before a building permit will be issued.