Environment Health | County of Riverside | Temporary Food Facilities | Riverside County Department of Environmental Health

All Community Event Organizers are required to obtain a Community Event Permit to host a community event. Food booths set up at community events are referred to as Temporary Food Facilities.

Attention Community Event Organizers and Temporary Food Facilities!

Riverside County Environmental Health is updating the Community Event Program to a simpler permitting process. Here are some changes you will see starting July 1, 2025.

Food Booths (Temporary Food Facilities, or TFFs)

We are streamlining paperwork and eliminating the TFF Permit Application. All of that information is already captured on either the Event Organizer Application or the TFF Operator Agreement Form.
Each TFF will have a separate fee based on the food being offered.
Prepackaged food and/or beverages ONLY - ($50)
Unpackaged open food and/or beverages ($100)
Fees will no longer be based on the length of the event.
Completed paperwork and TFF fees will be collected and submitted by the Event Organizer

Event Organizer

Fixed Event Organizer fee ($149)
Late fee ($249) for submittals received less than 2 weeks from the event start date.
Submittals must have all required information and paperwork:
- Completed Event Organizer Application
- Complete List of Vendors
- If you have a food truck participating that already has a current permit with Riverside County Environmental Health, you will be able to provide their permit number on the list of vendors to avoid the TFF fee.
- Operator’s Agreement Forms for all participating vendors.
- Detailed map of the event layout
- Approval documentation/Use Permit from City or County Planning
- Copy of government-issued ID for Event Organizer and each TFF operator.

Community Event TFF Organizer Application

COMING IN 2026

We will be implementing annual TFF permits for prepackaged and unpacked food vendors starting in January 2026. These permits will cover a full calendar year and will be renewed each December. TFF operators who are interested in this option will be able to operate a single booth at any permitted event throughout the county for one set annual fee. Operators with an annual permit will not be required to pay the event-specific TFF fees. We will be hosting several informational workshops regarding the new annual permit categories this fall. Please check our website later this year for updates.

Community Event/Food Facility Permit Forms and Guidance

Temporary Food Facility/Community Event Organizer’s Application

Temporary Food Facility Operator’s Agreement Form

For-Profit Food Vendors Operating at a Community Event for the Benefit of a Nonprofit Organization

Kitchen Agreement Letter

English | Spanish

Temporary Food Facility Operator’s Guide
English Spanish

Self-Checklist for Temporary Food Facilities
English Spanish

Open-Air BBQ’s, Smokers and Wood Burning Ovens:
English | Spanish

Three Compartment Sink/Hand Sink Rental Companies:
English | Spanish

Food Sales at School Booster Club Sporting Events

Non-Profit Temporary Food Facilities

Community Event Organizers

Community Event Organizers are responsible for obtaining all approvals and permits from local jurisdictions to hold their event (City; County; Police; Fire…). Prior to approval from the Environmental Health Department, an application must be submitted to the appropriate planning department for events held in city limits or in unincorporated Riverside County. Check with the appropriate planning department for more details regarding their requirements.

Required Documents

The following document is required to be submitted by the Event Organizer to the Environmental Health Department at least 2 weeks prior to the event:

Temporary Food Facility/Community Event Coordinator’s Application

* If a nonprofit organization is planning on serving food to raise money for their nonprofit organization, get more information here regarding requirements.

* If a nonprofit organization is planning an event, and all the proceeds from the vendors will go to the nonprofit organization, get more information here regarding requirements.

Temporary Food Facility Vendors

Temporary Food Facility Vendors are responsible for submitting a Community Event Temporary Food Facility Operator’s Agreement Form to the Environmental Health Department so they can be informed of the specific regulations that will be required for the type of food they plan to serve. Please review the following documents for general requirements for Temporary Food Facilities:

Temporary Food Facility Operator’s Guide
- English
- Spanish
Self-Checklist for Temporary Food Facilities
- English
- Spanish
Food storage and/or preparation before the event
- English
- Spanish
Open-Air BBQ’s, Smokers and Wood Burning Ovens

*Community Event Permits and Temporary Food Facility Permits are event specific. Vendors must obtain approval from the event organizer to participate in a Community Event. Event organizers are responsible for ensuring all vendors comply with all laws, regulations and requirements for Temporary Food Facilities.