Division of Hotels and Restaurants

Food Service News

All information on this page is current and was last reviewed by the division on March 28, 2012.

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Apply Online for Food and Lodging Licenses and Plan Review

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has upgraded its license application process, enabling the majority of applications for food service and lodging establishments to be completed online. The upgrade will have a significant impact on the length of time needed to process applications, allowing online applicants to bypass several components of the paper application system.

“Making the application process easier for licensees and potential licensees is going to help us keep Florida businesses strong,” said DBPR Secretary Ken Lawson. “The industry asked us to improve this procedure, and I’m pleased our technological upgrades have made this new system possible.”

Applicants may apply online for all food service, hotel, motel, apartment and rooming house licenses.  The department is also offering a complete option for online plan review submittal, includng the application, fees and all supporting documents. The Department plans to continue upgrading the applications process to an online system and will add applications for elevator- and escalator- related licenses in the future, as well as applications for vacation rentals.

Applicants for the various licenses can also still apply via hard copy applications, also available on our website. Food service plan review applicants may also submit their documents by e-mail.  For questions about plan review or the e-mail submittal process, contact dhr.planreview@dbpr.state.fl.us.

Legislative Session changes Florida food service laws

House Bill 883 changed the division’s disciplinary actions and advisory council membership, and state regulation preemptions.  House Bill 883 became effective when Governor Scott signed it into law (Ch. 2011-119, Laws of Florida) on June 2, 2011.

The new law allows the division to require licensees to complete remedial education administered by a food safety training provider with an approved education program. The division will provide more information on this requirement as it becomes available.  The law also adds a representative from the Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants Advisory Council and preempts the regulation of food nutritional content and marketing in public food service establishments to the state. 

Please contact the division if you have questions about these changes.

New Combined Restaurant License and Plan Review Applications

The Division of Hotels and Restaurants introduces new application forms for restaurant owners who wish to file for plan review and license at the same time.  Applicants for both initial and change of ownership licenses may use these forms.   Usually, we recommend applicants apply for plan review prior to building or remodeling, and then apply for license at least 30 days before beginning operations.  The combined forms are designed to eliminate steps for those who are ready to begin business, streamlining processing time to help move the licensing process faster and more efficiently.  To access these forms, click on the Apply for/Update Licenses link above.

Revised Application Forms Now Available

The Division of Hotels and Restaurants has streamlined its food and lodging application forms to remove obsolete requirements and facilitate processing. While the division will continue to accept old forms, we highly recommend applicants begin using the new forms. To access these forms, click on the Apply for/Update Licenses link above.

Attention Restaurant Owners – Beware Fraudulent Callers

The Florida Department of Health has informed us that several restaurant managers and owners have contacted them about fraudulent official phone calls. The caller claims to be an inspector from DOH Tallahassee attempting to schedule an inspection, and then requests their federal id number. We join DOH in warning our industry to call law enforcement if contacted by suspicious persons claiming to be inspectors.  State inspectors will not call to schedule inspections except during licensing or upon request, and will provide proper identification upon entering the establishment.

Outstanding Tax Warrants May Impact Your License  

Public food service and public lodging licenses may now be subject to penalty for failing to pay outstanding taxes.  Changes to the Department of Revenue's laws allow the division to refuse to renew a license or to suspend a license if the licensee has an outstanding tax warrant for three months.  Chapter 2010-166, Laws of Florida, took effect on May 28, 2010, when Governor Crist signed House Bill CS/HB 5801 into law.  Chapter 2010-138, Laws of Florida, also allows this same license action.  The division is implementing these laws and will notify licensees at the time of renewal if the new law impacts your license.

Changes to Law Affect the Hospitality Education Program and Dogs in Restaurants

Effective October 1, 2009, the Hospitality Education Program (HEP) only administers the school-to-career grant and no longer provides training programs. Any licensee required to complete a HEP training program as part of a Settlement Agreement or Final Order should contact the division. The law, Chapter 2009-195, Laws of Florida, also made the Dixie Cup Clary Local Control Act permanent, which authorizes local governments to allow dogs in limited, designated outdoor seating area.  The initial pilot program was due to sunset on July 1, 2009.  For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Plan Review Now Completed in Tallahassee

Beginning January 20, 2009, all plans are processed in the Tallahassee plan review office. Plans and fees for establishments needing plan review must be mailed or taken to the Tallahassee plan review office. 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.

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 plan review please call 850.487.1395 or e-mail dhr.planreview@dbpr.state.fl.us.

2008 Legislative Changes to Public Food Service Laws

Effective July 1, 2008, the division’s licensees do not have to keep a copy of Chapter 509, FS, on premises; food managers have 30 days to obtain certification; and proof of food manager’s certification must be provided 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, but will note the violation on your inspection and notify the State Fire Marshal or local fire authority of the violation. Requirements for the number of restrooms and restroom signage in a public food service establishment now falls under the Florida Building Code and the local building authorities.  The division still inspects restrooms for sanitation and safety issues and will ensure restrooms are provided for both employee and public use.

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.