Health approvals

Temporary Food Service Permit

To prepare and serve food at a fair, festival or other event — including sampling or cooking higher-risk food at a market. Home-prepared food is not allowed.

Who issues it
Island Health
Cost
No permit fee if you operate 14 days or fewer in a fiscal year (April–March); a $50 administration fee for applications received less than 14 days before the event.
How long
Apply at least 14 days ahead. Covers at most 14 days per calendar year.
Forms and pages

Who needs it

Caterers & personal chefsFor serving at public eventsFarmers’ market vendorsOnly for cooking or sampling higher-risk food on siteFestival, event & fundraiser foodServing food at festivals, fairs, sports events or fundraisers.

The rules behind this page

Last checked 26 September 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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