Health approvals

Health operating permit

The permit a “food service establishment” needs — anywhere food is prepared and served to eat right away: restaurants, cafés, take-outs, caterers, and food trucks that prepare Higher-risk foodFood that bacteria can grow in, or produce toxins in, unless it is kept cold or hot — meat, fish, dairy, eggs, cut fruit, most cooked meals. The law calls it “potentially hazardous food”. It must come from an approved kitchen, never a home one.All terms in the glossary. Island Health issues it after a pre-opening inspection, and it can’t be transferred: a new owner or a new address needs a new one.

Who issues it
Island Health
Cost
$150 a year for up to 50 seats, take-outs and caterers; $250 over 50 seats; a food truck chooses $150 or a flat $75. Opening part-way through the April–March year, you pay by the month. No fee if you operate 14 days or fewer in that year.

Do you need it?

You need it if

  • You prepare food and serve it to the public to eat right away: a restaurant, café, take-out, food court stall or caterer.
  • You run a food truck or cart that prepares higher-risk food (a Mobile food unit types (A, B, C)How BC sorts food trucks and carts. Type A sells prepackaged food, simple snacks or food only handed out; Type B prepares higher-risk food but cooks no raw meat; Type C can cook raw meat. The type decides the permit, the fee and the equipment.All terms in the glossary or C unit).

You don’t need it if

  • You make or sell food to be eaten later — a food processor, a bakery with no retail counter, a grocery or specialty shop. You get an approval to operate instead.
  • You serve only PrepackagedSealed in its package before it reaches the customer, the way it will be sold. Prepackaged food must carry the federal food label.All terms in the glossary foods that aren’t potentially hazardous.
  • You serve at events for 14 days or fewer a year. You need a Temporary food service permitIsland Health’s permit to cook or serve food at a fair, festival or other event, or to cook or sample higher-risk food at a market. Apply at least 14 days ahead.All terms in the glossary instead.
Where this comes from

Sources

How to get it

  1. 1

    Get your plans approved

    An operating permit is issued only for a premises built to plans Island Health approved. Start with Plan approvalIsland Health’s review of your floor plan, equipment and menu before you build or renovate a food premises. Nothing gets built until it is approved, and the pre-opening inspection checks you built what was approved.All terms in the glossary.

  2. 2

    Get FOODSAFE Level 1

    The operator must hold FOODSAFEBC’s food handler course. The operator of a restaurant, café, food truck or other food service business must hold a FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate or an equivalent.All terms in the glossary Level 1 or an equivalent, and a certified person must be on site when the operator is away. Island Health asks for the certificate with the application.

  3. 3

    Write your food safety and sanitation plans

    Both are part of the application, and both must be approved before the permit is issued.

  4. 4

    Pass the pre-opening inspection and pay

    After the inspection the EHO issues the permit once the fee is paid — in person at the office or by phone, by Visa, Mastercard or cheque payable to Island Health.

  5. 5

    Post it

    Display the permit where customers can see it.

Where this comes from

Sources

What it costs

The fee is set by the province and runs for Island Health’s permit year, April 1 to March 31. Open part-way through the year and you pay only for the months left, with a part month counted as a whole one — a seasonal stand open May 15 to September 8 pays for five months.

Health operating permit fees
Full yearPer month, if you open part-way
Up to 50 seats, or no seats (take-out, caterer)$150$12.50
More than 50 seats$250$20.83
Food truck or cart (your choice)$150, or a flat $75$12.50 on the $150 option; the $75 isn’t prorated
Open 14 days or fewer in the April–March yearNo fee— you still need a temporary permit
  • Several restaurants in one building, or on one hotel site, pay the highest fee once and $75 for each of the others.
  • A restaurant run by a charity whose purposes include relieving poverty pays no fee.
Where this comes from

Sources

Where to send it: Island Health offices

Applications go to the Environmental Public Health office for your area. Island Health’s form says to return it to the nearest office; it doesn’t say whether email is accepted, but every office publishes an email address — ask when you first get in touch.

Island Health Environmental Public Health offices and the areas they serve
AreaOfficeEmail
Greater Victoria, the West Shore and SookeVictoria (Gateway Village), 250-519-3401gateway_office@islandhealth.ca
Cowichan Valley, Saanich Peninsula and the Southern Gulf IslandsDuncan, 250-737-2010HPES.Duncan@islandhealth.ca
Nanaimo, Oceanside and Alberni-ClayoquotNanaimo (250-755-6215), Parksville or Port AlberniHPES.Nanaimo@, HPES.Parksville@ or HPES.PortAlberni@islandhealth.ca
Comox Valley, Strathcona and the North IslandComox Valley (250-331-8518), Campbell River (250-850-2111) or Port HardyHPES.Courtenay@, HPES.CampbellRiver@ or HPES.PortHardy@islandhealth.ca
Island Health lists the Saanich Peninsula — Sidney, North Saanich, Central Saanich — under its Duncan office, not Victoria.
Where this comes from

Sources

Once you have it

  • Expect a routine inspection, usually within 60 days of opening. It and later inspections set your hazard rating — low, moderate or high — which decides how often you are inspected. An EHO can close a premises that passes the maximum acceptable risk.
  • Inspection reports are public on Island Health’s inspection site.
  • Island Health invoices renewals every April. The permit expires March 31, and the renewal must be paid before it takes effect — a permit without a current decal isn’t valid.
  • The permit can’t be transferred. A new owner, or a move to a new address, needs a new application and fee.
  • Close for good part-way through the year and you may get a refund for the full months left (not on a food truck’s permit).
  • Renovating needs plans approved first; changing the menu, a word with your EHO.
Where this comes from

Sources

What comes next

Municipal business licenceYour municipalityWorkSafeBC coverageWorkSafeBCBags, takeout containers and utensilsFederal, provincial and municipal rules

Which businesses need it

Restaurants & cafésOpening or running a restaurant, café, take-out or coffee shop.BakeriesIf you sell food to eat on the spotCaterers & personal chefsCooking for events, offices or private clients.Delivery-only & ghost kitchensCooking for delivery and pickup only, with no dining room.Grocers & specialty food shopsIf you serve food to eat on the spot

The rules behind this page

Last checked 5 November 2026. We check this guide regularly against Island Health, provincial and municipal sources, but regulations and laws change often and we can’t guarantee it is complete or current. Confirm with Island Health and your municipality before you apply, build or sell.

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