Special Events Program

Thank you for your interest regarding the Maricopa County Environmental Health Special Events Program. The Maricopa County Environmental Services Department is the regulatory authority that issues "Temporary Food Service Establishment" permits for food and beverage concessions at special events. It is the Department's responsibility to regulate the food sold at these events. If food or drink is not prepared and handled in a sanitary manner, the public's health may be at risk.

* Please note starting January 1^st, 2011, we will no longer be accepting the old applications. We will also no longer be accepting payments via mail. Please submit your application for all events using the new application below. *

For questions or requests for additional information, contact the Special Events Coordinator at (602) 506-6978, or by email at specialevents@mail.maricopa.gov

Temporary Events

Temporary events include parades, street fairs, festivals, and similar events that operate for not more than fourteen consecutive days within any permit year, provided it is the same permit holder at the same location and event. At the termination of the event, the temporary food service establishment shall be removed from the premises.

Requirements

In order to sell or give away any food or beverage product at an event, you are required to apply for a "Temporary Food Service Establishment" permit and pay an associated permit fee. Please read the following Food and Beverage Vendor checklist for additional requirements and information. The Guide to Temporary Food Service at Special Events and Application for Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit are available for download.

• A completed application and $85.00 permit fee per booth must be submitted seven days prior to the start of the event. Illegible or incomplete submittals will be rejected.
• Applications can also be submitted via email. Mail applications to specialevents@mail.maricopa.gov. You will then receive an email with approval/rejection. Included in the email will be your permit information and the office locations to pay and pick up your permit.
• Note that if an application for Temporary Food Service or Seasonal Food Service is submitted less than seven days prior to the event, an additional $50.00 will be assessed.
• Permits must be obtained prior to the start of the event. The permit must be onsite at the event in order for vendors to operate. Final approval to operate is granted onsite at the event. Inspectors cannot issue permits or collect permit fees on site at events. There are no exceptions!
• Only those vendors selling bottled water, canned soda (unopened, from an approved source) or commercially pre-packaged non-potentially hazardous foods less than 10 linear feet in size are exempt from obtaining a Temporary Food Service permit. All other vendors, regardless of product, are required to submit an application to the Special Event Program.
• Commissary Agreements are required at time of application submittal for any Preparation or Food Storage prior to an event. An additional Commissary visits log will be required onsite at the event. All receipts for food items must be available upon request.
• Those individuals who currently posses a valid Maricopa County Mobile Food, Pushcart, Food Peddler or Catering permit and are operating within the guidelines of said permit are not required to pay the permit fee. However, a completed application form with a copy of the permit is requested. Caterers should submit an “Application for Use of Catering Permits at Special Events” to ensure that they are included in the list of vendors.

Downloads

• Coordinator Information Sheet
• Temporary Permit Packet
• Commissary Visit Information and Log
• Promotional Guidelines for Non Potentially Hazardous Food
• Acceptable Equipment for Special Events
• Annual Special Event Guidelines
• Annual Permit FAQ