Division of Hotels and Restaurants

Food Service News

All information on this page is current and was last reviewed by the division on January 2, 2008.

District 5 Restaurant Plan Review Moving to Tallahassee

Beginning January 21, 2008, plans for establishments in District 5 will be processed in the Tallahassee plan review office. Plans and fees must be mailed or taken to the Tallahassee plan review office. District 5 applicants must submit their completed plan review application, blueprints, 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 change please call 850.487.1395 or e-mail dhr.planreview@dbpr.state.fl.us.

District 6 and 7 Restaurant Plan Review Moving to Tallahassee

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 July 2008, all plans for new or remodeled food service establishments will be reviewed in the centralized plan review office in Tallahassee.

Beginning November 1, 2007, plans for establishments in District 6 and District 7 will be processed in the Tallahassee plan review office. Plans and fees must be mailed or taken to the Tallahassee plan review office. District 6 and 7 applicants must submit their completed plan review application, blueprints, 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.

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.

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.