Division of Hotels and Restaurants

Food Service News

All information on this page is current and was last reviewed by the division on December 31, 2008.

District 1 Restaurant Plan Review to Join All Other Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Restaurant Plan Review in Tallahassee

Beginning January 20, 2009, plans for establishments in District 1 will be processed in the Tallahassee plan review office. Plans and fees for establishments located in District 1 must be mailed or taken to the Tallahassee plan review office. District 1 applicants must submit their completed plan review application, 2 sets of blueprints/floor plans to scale, menu, proof of water/wastewater, and fees to: DBPR, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, Plan Review Office, 1940 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011.

Plan review for establishments located in District 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 is already completed in our Tallahassee Plan Review office. Plans and fees for establishments located in those districts must be mailed or taken to the Tallahassee plan review office at the address listed above.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants is streamlining Florida's plan review process for opening a food service establishment. The District 1 restaurant plan review move will complete the centralization. By the end of January 2009, all plans for new or remodeled food service establishments will be reviewed in the centralized plan review office in Tallahassee. Centralizing this function will improve the plan review process and overall customer service.

License applications and fees will continue to be processed in the Department's Central Intake Office in Tallahassee.

If you have any questions regarding this change please call 850.487.1395 or e-mail dhr.planreview@dbpr.state.fl.us.

District 2 Restaurant Plan Review to Join District 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Restaurant Plan Review in Tallahassee

Beginning December 15, 2008, plans for establishments in District 2 will be processed in the Tallahassee plan review office. Plans and fees for establishments located in District 2 must be mailed or taken to the Tallahassee plan review office. District 2 applicants must submit their completed plan review application, 2 sets of blueprints/floor plans to scale, menu, proof of water/wastewater, and fees to: DBPR, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, Plan Review Office, 1940 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011.

Plan review for establishments located in District 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 is already completed in our Tallahassee Plan Review office. Plans and fees for establishments located in those districts must be mailed or taken to the Tallahassee plan review office at the address listed above.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Hotels and Restaurants is streamlining Florida's plan review process for opening a food service establishment. By the end of January 2009, all plans for new or remodeled food service establishments will be reviewed in the centralized plan review office in Tallahassee. Centralizing this function will improve the plan review process and overall customer service.

License applications and fees will continue to be processed in the Department's Central Intake Office in Tallahassee.

If you have any questions regarding this change please call 850.487.1395 or e-mail dhr.planreview@dbpr.state.fl.us.

2008 Legislative Changes to Public Food Service Laws

On May 28, 2008, Governor Charlie Crist signed Senate Bill 2016 into law.  This bill made many changes to Chapter 509, Florida Statutes (FS), which affect the division’s public food service licensees in the following ways.  Licensees no longer have to keep a copy of Chapter 509, FS, on premises.  Food managers will have 30 days to obtain certification, instead of the 90 days previously allowed.  Public food service establishments must provide proof of food manager’s certification upon request, including during inspections. 

The division may refuse to renew your license if you have past due fines and may file an administrative complaint against your license for failing to comply with a Final Order.  The division will not file an administrative complaint for violating fire safety codes.  However, these violations will be noted on your inspection and the State Fire Marshal or local fire authority will be notified of the violation. 

The bill also places the requirements for the number of restrooms and restroom signage in a public food service establishment under the Florida Building Code and the local building authorities.  The division will continue to inspect restrooms for sanitation and safety issues and will ensure restrooms are provided for both employee and public use.  

Senate Bill 2016 becomes effective on July 1, 2008.  The division will start enforcing the changes on that day. 

Restaurant Owners: Help During Emergencies

When disaster threatens Florida, the American Red Cross turns to local food vendors to help supply snacks, drinks, sandwiches and hot meals to individuals and families impacted by the event. An online portal is now available for food vendors interested in contracting with the American Red Cross to provide assistance. Please visit the Red Cross website for more information.

To assist restaurant owners in case of an emergency, the division published updated guidelines for recovery in Industry Bulletin 2005-03. In addition, a special bulletin, Boil Water Notice Guidelines, was developed in cooperation with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Florida Department of Health to provide procedures observed while a “BOIL WATER NOTICE” is in effect.

Dogs Allowed in Restaurants

Effective July 1, 2006, the Dixie Cup Clary Local Control Act authorized local governments to allow dogs in limited, designated outdoor seating areas of food service establishments. For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions. Local governments may develop their own applications, however, a sample application is provided.

Information on Protection of Ice Provided

Industry Bulletin 2006-02 was released to assist the food service industry in protecting ice and ice machines from contamination.