Health Department Menu

Temporary Food Licensing and Special Events

*** Coming in July 2026 - Online Food Facility Review and Temporary/Mobile/Vending Applications ***

Beginning in late July, 2026 all applications for Food Facility Reviews, and Temporary/Mobile Vending Licenses will be submitted online with payment at eztrak.cagis.org. Paper applications, drawings, and check payments will no longer be accepted, once we go live with the new online application process. If you already have an ezTrak account, you can use the same account to manage all your licenses, permits and applications made through that site. ​

 

 

The Cincinnati Health Department Food Safety and Inspection Program licenses and inspects temporary food service operations and temporary retail food establishments within the city limits. This includes temporary food operations at special events, such as festivals, parades, and other outdoor events.

A Temporary Food License is required for vendors selling most food (unpackaged or packaged) and beverages for 5 consecutive days or less in the same location at a special event within the City of Cincinnati. Even if the vendor has a brick and mortar Ohio Food Service Operation or Retail Food Establishment, a temporary food license is required if they plan to sell food outside their facility walls (at an event, in a tent on their property, etc).  

 

Operations EXEMPT from temporary food licensure include:

  • Those giving away food. Licenses are ONLY required when food is being sold.
  • Those with an Ohio Mobile food license.
  • Those selling only commercially packaged bottled drinks that do not require refrigeration (Water, Soda, Sports Drinks, etc). Vendors selling any beverages with ice will require a temporary of mobile food license.
  • Those selling only commercially packaged snacks (chips, candy, etc) that don't require refrigeration in small quantities (less than 200 cubic feet).
  • Cottage food and home bakery vendors at farmer's markets ONLY. Participation in ALL other events require a temporary or mobile food license.

For Food Vendors

To apply for and obtain a Temporary Food Service License:

  1. Download - 2026 Temporary Application (effective Dec 1, 2025) - NOTE - Beginning in late July, all temporary license applications must be submitted at ezTrak.cagis.org - paper applications will no longer be accepted at that time.)
  2. Submit and Pay - 2026 Payment Instructions - IMPORTANT NOTE: This step must take place 10 BUSINESS (not calendar) days before the first day of the event.
  3. Review - You will be contacted by the Health Department before the event with any questions related to your application.
  4. Inspection and Licensing - Temporary food licenses are not mailed ahead of the event. An hour before the event start time, your temporary operation will be inspected and licensed by Health Department personnel. Your temporary operation should be completely set up at this time and you should have all your supplies available as outlined in the temporary application packet. No food may be sold until your temporary operation has been inspected and licensed. Download the Temporary Food Booth Checklist for a list of items needed when setting up a temporary food service operation.

For Event Coordinators

Download - 2026 Temp Food License Info for Event Coordinators (effective Dec 1, 2025)

 

For questions related to temporary food service operation licensing in the City of Cincinnati:        
Email TempFoodLicensing@cincinnati-oh.gov