A Temporary Food Establishment is a food establishment that operates at a fixed location for a period of time of not more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration and requires a permit from the Department to operate.

Each Temporary Food Establishment is assigned a risk classification based upon the complexity of the foods being prepared and served.  See risk classifications definitions.  The fee for each Temporary Food Permit is determined by the risk classification.  See Fee Schedule.

A late fee of $25.00 applies when the application and permit fee is submitted less than 5 days prior to the event.  Use the following chart to determine if a late fee applies.

Please fill out the permit application completely and then click on the submit button.  This will bring you to a link to submit a  payment.  You will need to know the fee that needs to be paid prior to going to the payment page.  It will not calculate automatically for you.  A fee will be added by the Department's credit card vendor that will be added to the permit fee.  See attached credit card fee schedule.

The Department will process your application and a Health Department staff member will contact you prior to the event to review your set up and food handling procedures.  Staff will conduct an inspection of the temporary food establishment on the day of the event and issue the permit after verifying all requirements have been met.

Please use the checklist to ensure that you have all of the necessary information and equipment and that your procedures will be acceptable.  Please contact the Division of Environmental Health at 815-334-4585 with any questions.

Temporary Health Permit Applications may also be submitted in person at the Department or mailed to the Department along with the permit fee.

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

A permit fee is required at the time of application.  The McHenry County Department of Health now accepts credit and debit card payments through GovPay.Net.  You will need the following information to submit your payment:
   1. The permit fee - based on the risk classification
   2. If submitted less than 5 days prior the event date add a $25.00 late fee to the total

Please note, there is an additional nonrefundable service fee paid directly to GovPay.Net.

BE SURE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BEFORE PROCEEDING TO ONLINE PAYMENT.

Pay online at GovPayNet

Additional Payment Processing Information