Temporary Event Food Permits

Temporary Event Food Permits are only available to vendors for events that are scheduled and have an Event Coordinator who assumes overall responsibility for the Event.

Event Coordinators must submit a Temporary Event Coordinator Application to the Health Department through our online permitting portal no later than one month prior to the date of the event. This application is NOT an event permit. 

  • A Vendor list must be attached to the Event Coordinator application.
  • Include all of the vendors who wish to participate in the Event - this list will be used by Health Department staff for permitting purposes.
  • The Vendor list is a fillable PDF - attach additional sheets to application as necessary

Event Coordinators are responsible for ensuring that any participating vendors submit the appropriate application and provide the relevant supporting documentation for their events.

  • Every food vendor must submit the Temporary Event Food Permit application through our online permitting portal, even those vendors who hold valid Food Permits with the City of Portsmouth.
  • Out of town food vendors must also attach a copy of their current Food Permit (issued from their local licensing authority) to their online application.
  • Food Truck operators and food vendors who do not own their own restaurant are required to fill out a Commissary Agreement form and attach it to their application, along with a copy of the current Food Permit issued for their Commissary as well.
  • Provide a copy of the Temporary Event Checklist to each vendor - this should guide set-up and operation of each vendor booth at your event. 

Vendor applications for Temporary Event Food Permits must be submitted to the Health Department no later than two weeks prior to the date of the Event. Applications that are incomplete (missing copies of required license/permit information or other information) will not be processed and those vendors will not be permitted. 

Vendors must appear on the Temporary Event Coordinator Vendor List to be processed. All fees must be paid in full by the day before the Event date. No checks or application information will be accepted in the field. 

Vendor Applications will not be processed prior to the application deadline. Early submittal of a Temporary Event Food Permit will not result in early approval or processing.

Temporary Event Food Permits will be issued on-site at the Pre-opening Inspection. See the section on Pre-Operational Guidance for additional information. 

 

TEMPORARY EVENTS HELD ON CITY PROPERTY must comply with the requirements as outlined in the  "Distribution of Single Use Disposables" memo City Council Policy No. 2019-01 (please see Policy for full details)

  • Distribution of Single Use Disposables on City Property: All single-use cups, disposable containers and disposable straws issued at market must be compostable.
  • Carryout Bags: Single-use plastic shopping bags are only allowed to be issued to transport prepared foods.

 

APPLICATION FEES (may be paid online):

  • $100 application fee per Temporary Event - due when Temporary Event Coordinator application is submitted (one month prior to the event)
  • $200 Fundraiser application fee - only for non-profit events - 100% of food and proceeds from food sales donated to organization for which event is being held - due when Temporary Event Coordinator application is submitted (one month prior to event)
  • $125 Temporary Food Permit fee - per vendor application 
  • $50 Sample/Sell Permit fee - for vendors who sell or offer tasting samples of prepackaged foods only (e.g. hot sauce, jams and jellies, etc.)

 

For Vendors who have not used the online permitting system:

  • Create an account by registering with your email address. Select the "SIGN UP" link in the upper right-hand corner of the page
  • Sign up for Viewpoint by selecting the blue box that says "Sign Up using Secure Portal"
  • Enter your email address in the first box, then create a password in the next field (passwords must be at least 8 characters and include an upper case and lower case letter and a number)
  • Once you have signed up, you will be taken to the home page for Online Permitting. Notice that the upper right-hand corner of the page now shows your login and the words "My Account"
    •  this is where your records and activity can be found for any application you are working on
  • Scroll down the home page to locate the Health Department and click "Explore"
  • The Health Department permitting page will open - select Temporary Event Food Permit to apply 

For Vendors who have Viewpoint accounts:

Should you have any questions regarding Temporary Events, please contact Toni McLellan at 603-610-4187 or Cameron Hersey at 603-610-7289.

NOTE: If you are currently licensed with the City of Portsmouth as a year round Mobile Vendor and will be vending from that mobile for an event, you do not need an additional license.