To obtain a TFE permit from the Mecklenburg County Health Department, you must first submit a TFE Food Vendor Application along with a payment of $75.00 for each permit and an Event Organizer Application by mail or delivery to the Mecklenburg County Health department at 700 N. Tryon St., Ste. 208, Charlotte, NC 28202.  Credit card payments may be made by calling (704) 336-5100.

Your applications will be reviewed by a Health Department coordinator and permitting times will be established upon the review of the applications.  You may call the Health Department with questions regarding your TFE at (704) 336-5100.

Health department inspectors will permit TFE's meeting the following requirements which is a summary of  "Rules Governing the Sanitation of Food Service Establishments" 15A NCAC 18A.2635.

1. TFE's must be in clean surroundings.  The use of a tent with screens or fans may be used for fly control and to protect the tfe from other sources of contamination.
2.  Protect all cooking areas and food from the public, dust and insects  by using approved food shields.
3. Keep all equipment clean throughout the entire duration of the event.
4.  Running water under pressure must be provided.
   • The water must be obtained from a safe source such as an approved* well, community water source or water purchased from a store.
   • Provide a method for heating the water.
   • At least a single vat sink with a drain must be provided. The sink must be big enough to submerge the largest utensils in your TFE.
   • Provide at least one drain board or table designated for air-drying equipment.
5. Employee hand washing facilities must be provided.  
6. Convenient toilet facilities must be provided for employees.  All sewage must be disposed of by an approved method.
7.  Potentially hazardous food must be refrigerated to maintain temperatures at or below 45°F or held hot at 135°F – all safe food handling practices must be followed.
8. Garbage must be handled in a sanitary manner and waste water must be disposed of by approved methods.
9. All food must be from an approved source and must be prepared by approved methods.  Foods that have been prepared outside of North Carolina may not be served.  However, prepackaged food purchased from an approved source such as a retail facility, food supplier or a USDA inspected food processing plant may be used if the food is transported properly in the original, sealed packaging.  Proof of purchase may be required for use of particular food items.  Foods which have special requirements are the following:
   • Foods such as cream-filled pastries and pies and salads such as potato, chicken, ham, crab, etc. are prohibited in a TFE.
   • Hamburgers must be purchased from an approved source and must be ready-to-cook.
   •  Poultry must be ready-to-cook.
   • Preparation of potentially hazardous drinks (such as smoothies made of fresh fruit) is prohibited in a TFE.
10. Food prepared by local groups must use an approved kitchen and must transport the food in a sanitary manner.
11. People with infectious conditions shall not handle or prepare food or beverages.

* The use of water from an individual, private well is based upon prior approval by the Mecklenburg County Health Department and well water sample results from samples obtained by a designated Mecklenburg County Health Department agent.