Food Safety Permits in Atlanta, Georgia: What You Need to Know

If you plan to serve, sell, or handle food in Atlanta, Georgia, you will almost always need some type of food safety permit or approval. This applies whether you are opening a restaurant in Midtown, running a food truck downtown, or catering events around the city.

This guide explains how food safety permits work in Atlanta, who issues them, when you need one, and the basic steps to get started.

Who Regulates Food Safety in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, food safety is mainly overseen by:

• Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health Services
  (for most of the City of Atlanta within Fulton County)
• DeKalb County Board of Health – Environmental Health
  (for Atlanta addresses that fall within DeKalb County)
• The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Georgia Department of Agriculture also have roles for certain types of facilities and statewide rules.

Most typical restaurants, caterers, and mobile food vendors in Atlanta will deal directly with county environmental health offices, which issue permits, perform inspections, and enforce food safety rules.

Do You Need a Food Safety Permit in Atlanta?

You probably need a food service permit if you:

• Serve or sell prepared food or beverages to the public
  (restaurants, cafés, food halls, coffee shops, bakeries with ready-to-eat foods)
• Operate a food truck, cart, or mobile food unit
• Run a catering business based in Atlanta
• Serve food in certain schools, daycares, or institutions
• Operate at a temporary event (fairs, festivals, pop-ups) where food is prepared or served

You may instead fall under the Georgia Department of Agriculture if you operate:

• A grocery store or supermarket
• A warehouse storing food
• A food manufacturing or processing facility
• A wholesale bakery or similar production facility

When in doubt, it is best to call the appropriate county environmental health office and describe your planned operation. They can clarify which permits and inspections you need.

Key Agencies and Offices in the Atlanta Area

Here are the main government contacts most Atlanta food businesses work with:

Fulton County Environmental Health (City of Atlanta – Fulton Side)

Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health Services
Typically handles permits and inspections for:

• Restaurants and food service establishments
• Mobile food units
• Temporary food service (festivals, events)
• Caterers and shared kitchens located in Fulton County

Main office (commonly referenced location):
Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health
10 Park Place South SE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Phone numbers may vary by unit; call the Board of Health main line and ask for Environmental Health – Food Service.

DeKalb County Environmental Health (City of Atlanta – DeKalb Side)

For Atlanta addresses in DeKalb County (for example, some parts of East Atlanta, Candler Park, or near the county line), contact:

DeKalb County Board of Health – Environmental Health
445 Winn Way
Decatur, GA 30030

Ask to speak with the Food Service Program for permit and inspection questions.

Georgia Department of Agriculture (Food Sales & Processing)

If your business sells packaged food, groceries, or processed food products rather than preparing meals on-site, you may work with:

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Agriculture Building
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30334

They are responsible for food sales establishments, manufacturing, warehouses, and certain specialty food businesses.

Types of Food Safety Permits in Atlanta

Different operations need different approvals. Common categories include:

1. Food Service Establishment Permit

Applies to most restaurants, cafés, bars serving food, cafeterias, and institutional kitchens.
This permit generally covers:

• Dine-in and take-out restaurants
• Coffee shops that prepare or handle potentially hazardous foods (milk-based drinks, baked goods with fillings, etc.)
• Hotel and hospital kitchens
• School food service (depending on setup)

You need approval of:

• Facility layout and equipment (plan review, in many cases)
• Food safety procedures and menu
• Pre-opening inspection

2. Mobile Food Service Permit (Food Trucks & Carts)

Atlanta has strict rules for mobile food vendors, often requiring:

• A commissary or base of operations (a permitted kitchen where you store, prep, and clean)
• A mobile food unit permit for the truck, trailer, or cart
• Approval for locations and events where you will operate, which may also require city business licenses or event permits

Food trucks frequently coordinate with both:

• County environmental health (for the food safety permit and inspections)
• The City of Atlanta (for business licenses, vending approvals, and parking location rules)

3. Temporary Food Service Permit (Events & Festivals)

If you are serving food for a short period at a specific event—for example:

• A festival in Piedmont Park
• A neighborhood block party
• A pop-up food booth at an Atlanta street fair

—you likely need a temporary food service permit from the relevant county health department.

Common requirements include:

• Date, time, and location of the event
• Description of food and how it will be stored, cooked, and served
• Basic handwashing and sanitation setup on site
• Filing the application before the event deadline

4. Catering Operations

Catering businesses based in Atlanta generally need:

• A permitted food service establishment or commissary kitchen
• A food service permit for that facility
• Compliance with transport, temperature control, and holding requirements

Caterers who also serve at public events may need additional event-specific permits.

5. Food Sales and Manufacturing Licenses

If instead of preparing meals, you are:

• Packaging snacks or baked goods for retail sale
• Operating a market, grocery, or convenience store
• Running a food warehouse or co-packing operation

—you may need a Food Sales Establishment License or a processing permit from the Georgia Department of Agriculture, not the county food service program.

Basic Steps to Get a Food Safety Permit in Atlanta

The details vary by county and business type, but most new Atlanta food businesses follow a similar path.

Step 1: Define Your Concept and Location

Clarify:

• Type of operation (restaurant, food truck, caterer, market, bakery, manufacturer, etc.)
• Where you will operate:
  • Physical address (check if it is in Fulton or DeKalb County)
  • Whether you will also operate as a mobile unit or at temporary events
• Menu and food processes (cooking, cooling, packaging, etc.)

This information determines which agency and permit category applies.

Step 2: Contact the Correct Health Authority Early

Before signing a lease or buying a truck, contact:

• Fulton County Environmental Health if your Atlanta location is in Fulton County
• DeKalb County Environmental Health if your Atlanta address is in DeKalb County
• Georgia Department of Agriculture if you are strictly food sales or processing

Ask:

• What permit(s) your concept needs
• Whether a plan review is required
• What fees, forms, and timelines to expect

Early contact helps you avoid designing a kitchen or truck that does not meet code.

Step 3: Plan Review (for New or Remodeled Facilities)

New restaurants, major remodels, or commissaries typically must submit:

• Scaled floor plans showing equipment, sinks, and layout
• Equipment list with make and model
• Menu or list of foods and processes
• Plumbing and ventilation details, if required

The county reviews your plans to ensure they meet Georgia Food Code standards. You may need to adjust layout or equipment before approval.

Step 4: Build Out and Prepare for Inspection

Once your plans are approved, you:

• Complete construction or renovation
• Install and test refrigeration, cooking equipment, dishwashers, and sinks
• Set up handwashing stations, thermometers, sanitizer, and storage
• Develop basic food safety procedures (e.g., temperature checks, cleaning schedules)

When you are nearly ready to open, you contact Environmental Health to schedule a pre-operational inspection.

Step 5: Pre-Opening Inspection

An environmental health specialist will visit your location to check:

• Cleanliness and readiness of the facility
• Proper hot and cold holding equipment
• Functioning handwashing and dishwashing stations
• Correct food storage (separation of raw and ready-to-eat foods)
• Pest control and waste disposal
• Availability of thermometers, sanitizer, and basic safety tools

If you pass, the county issues your food service permit. You generally cannot serve food to the public until the permit is issued.

Step 6: Ongoing Inspections and Compliance

After opening, you can expect routine inspections. Inspectors may:

• Check food temperatures
• Observe handling and hygiene practices
• Verify cleaning and sanitizing
• Review records, such as temperature logs

Inspection scores in many Georgia counties are posted in the establishment and sometimes made available to the public.

Common Requirements and Expectations

While specific rules come from the Georgia Food Code and county policies, some common expectations include:

• Certified Food Safety Manager:
  At least one person in charge is often expected to have a recognized food safety certification.
• Handwashing & Hygiene:
  Sinks must be conveniently located and stocked with soap and paper towels. Employees must follow good hygiene practices.
• Temperature Control:
  • Cold foods kept at proper refrigerator temperatures
  • Hot foods held at safe hot temperatures
  • Rapid cooling and proper reheating when required
• Cross-Contamination Prevention:
  Separate raw meats from ready-to-eat foods and use proper cleaning between tasks.
• Cleaning & Sanitizing:
  Correct use of sanitizers and regular cleaning schedules for surfaces, equipment, and utensils.
• Pest Control & Waste Management:
  Steps must be taken to avoid pests and manage garbage properly.

Quick Reference: Who to Contact for Food Safety Permits in Atlanta

Tips for Getting Your Permit Approved Faster

A few practical pointers for Atlanta operators:

• Start early: Obtaining a permit can take weeks or longer, especially if plan review is required.
• Verify your county: Atlanta zip codes can cross county lines; check your property tax records or ask the city/county directly whether the address is in Fulton or DeKalb.
• Use approved equipment: Choose commercial equipment that meets health and fire code requirements.
• Keep clear records: Temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and pest control records help during inspections.
• Ask questions: Environmental health staff are used to helping new owners understand requirements and can point out common issues before they become problems.

Understanding how food safety permits work in Atlanta, Georgia helps you open legally, protect your customers, and avoid costly delays. By working closely with the appropriate county environmental health office and, when applicable, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, you can move from concept to serving food confidently and in compliance with local rules.