Environmental Public Health Division

Plan Approval Procedures for Food Service Establishments

Plans should be submitted, reviewed, and approved before construction, remodeling, or conversion of a food establishment begins.

Definition of a Food Establishment

“Any operation that stores, prepares, packages, serves, or otherwise provides food for human consumption…”  If you are not sure whether your operation falls under the definition of a food establishment, call Environmental Public Health at (713) 439-6270.

When Plans Need to Be Submitted

1.      Whenever a food establishment is built from “the ground up”

2.      Whenever a food establishment is extensively remodeled

3.      Whenever an existing non-food structure is converted for use as a food establishment

4.      Whenever a food establishment facility has been vacant for over one year

5.      When referred by a Harris County Food Investigator for structural deficiencies

Who Approves the Plans

1.      Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services, Environmental Public Health Division

2.      Harris County Public Infrastructure Department (Permits)

3.      Local building code officials if the establishment is located in an incorporated city

Plan Review Procedures

Three sets of food establishment plans must be submitted to Environmental Public Health before the review and approval process begins.  Plans will be reviewed to determine compliance with the Texas Food Establishment Rules and the Commissioners Court Order for the Regulation of Food Establishments in Harris County.

When Construction May Begin

Construction or remodeling may begin after approval is granted through the plan review process.

 

Documents Needed BEFORE  a Preopening Inspection Can Be Scheduled And BEFORE  Approval Will Be Given For The Establishment To Open:

1.      Plans Review Information Form – This document must be submitted to Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services, Environmental Public Health Division, before plans are reviewed.  Copies of the form may be obtained from Environmental Public Health.

2.      Three (3) sets of plans – Plans must be submitted directly to Environmental Public Health.  Plans should be submitted at least 14 days prior to the projected beginning date of construction.

3.      Building Permit – All plans for new food establishments must be reviewed by the Harris County Public Infrastructure Department (PID).  Plans for extensively remodeled establishments must also be reviewed by PID to determine if permitting is required.  The Public Infrastructure Department will review the plans after Environmental Public Health stamps its approval on all three sets of plans.  Environmental Public Health will retain one set of plans, the establishment builder must deliver the second set to PID, and the third set of plans is to be posted on the construction site.

4.      Certificate of Compliance – A “Certificate of Compliance” means a certificate issued by Harris County Public Infrastructure Department indicating Construction or Substantial Improvement is in compliance with the Harris County Fire Code as of a specific date and for a specific occupancy. The certificate may be filed in the Real Property Records as outlined in Section 107.1 of this Code. A Certificate of Compliance under this Fire Code shall not be construed as authorizing the owner or operator of any building to afterward operate or Maintain such building in such a way as to create, cause or allow the existence of a fire or life safety condition, which condition shall be subject to the independent enforcement authority of the County Fire Marshal.

5.      Preopening Checklist – All items on the checklist must be completed and the preopening checklist must be submitted to Environmental Public Health before a preopening inspection is scheduled.  Failure to have all items completed according to the approved plans and finish schedule could result in a delay of up to 10 days in opening your business

 

The following additional documents may be required if they apply to a specific establishment:

6.      Water Utility Agreement – If water and sewer service to a specific establishment is provided by a utility district, a water utility agreement must be signed by the district and submitted to the Environmental Public Health Division of Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services before a preopening inspection can be conducted.  There is no need to obtain a septic system permit or a water system survey.

7.      Individual Water System Survey – Plans for new water supply systems (wells) will be reviewed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Plans Review Section in Austin.  The TCEQ will inspect all existing well systems once a year.  However, the Environmental Public Health Division of Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services will make the initial inspection for both new and existing establishments.

Prior to the initial inspection, documentation on the well and septic system must be submitted in writing to Environmental Public Health.  The well log must include (1) depth of the well; (2) size of the well casing; (3) whether the well is pressure cemented; and (4) the well pump rate or horsepower of the well pump.  Septic information must include a layout sketch showing the location of the septic tank, drain field, water well, and the establishment.  The distance of the septic tank and the drain field to the well must also be indicated.

8.      Individual Septic System Permit – The Harris County Public Infrastructure Department (PID) will review all plans for new construction where sewer service is provided by an individual sewage disposal system.  The Public Infrastructure Department will also review plans for existing systems where there is a proposed increase of 25% or more in the flow or a 50 % or more increase in the capacity of the sub-surface drainage field.   Existing individual sewage disposal systems that have never been permitted by PID must be surveyed by a professional engineer or a registered sanitarian.  When an establishment served by a septic system changes ownership, PID must be notified.

 

How to Schedule a Pre-Opening Inspection and Obtain Approval to Begin Business:

 A request must be made to Environmental Public Health for a preopening inspection after construction or remodeling is finished and all items on the preopening checklist are completed.  The request must be made 3 -5 days prior to the desired preopening inspection date.  The establishment may begin operation after final approval is granted.

How to Obtain a Food Establishment Permit:

After the preopening inspector grants final approval for the establishment to begin operations, the preopening inspector will then notify the appropriate food investigator who will inspect the new establishment for the purpose of issuing an application for a health permit.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the appropriate agency according to the subject matter previously discussed.

Environmental Public Health Division

Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services
M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(713) 439-6270 (secretary)
(713) 439-6370 (leave message on pre-opening voice mail line)
(713) 439-6316 Fax

 

Plan checking hours are from 8:00 - 11:30 a.m., Monday and Wednesday

 

Harris County Public Infrastructure Department
(for building permits)
10000 Northwest Freeway, Suite 102
Houston, Texas 77092-8615
(713) 956-3000, M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

TCEQ

Water Utility Division Plan Review Section
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, Texas 78711-3807
(512) 908-6103

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