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Food Establishments Permitting & Inspection
Environmental Public health sanitarians inspect all county food establishments except those within the
city limits of the City of St. Peters. For more information on St. Peters, visit the web site for
The City of St. Peters Health Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs to get a food establishment permit in St. Charles County?
What are the steps I need to take to receive a food establishment permit?
What is a food safety certification course and where do we get it?
What is a Frozen Dessert Permit, and where do we get it?
What if we want to serve liquor in our establishment?
How often do inspections take place?
Are inspections announced and scheduled or are they unannounced?
What documents do I need to have on file or display for my inspection?
What if I have a question about my inspection?
Are my inspection reports made public?
I want to remodel my establishment. Do I need to contact your department?
I am selling an existing, permitted establishment. What do I need to do?
I am purchasing an existing, permitted establishment. What will I need to do?
Who needs to get a food establishment permit in St. Charles County?
Any individual, partnership, corporation, religious or charitable organization who wishes
to serve food to the public, regardless of whether they charge for their product,
must apply for and obtain a food establishment permit. Not-for-profit charitable
and religious organizations, as well as educational institutions are exempt from
the fees associated with the permit.
What are the steps I need to take to receive a food establishment permit?
First, you will need to contact the County Building Department for the your particular
jurisdiction regarding their individual building specifications: Augusta, Cottleville,
Dardenne Prairie, Defiance,
Flint Hill, O'Fallon,
Portage Des Sioux, St. Charles,
Wentzville, West Alton,
or Unincorporated St. Charles County.
Next, contact our office to receive a license application and code book, which will
explain all the ordinances and requirements for food establishments in our
jurisdiction. (Download an application form here. Download a copy of the code book here)
If you have any questions concerning the code, you may wish to speak with
the Environmental Supervisor or an environmental public health specialist.
The application form will ask for the following information:
· The Missouri State Sales Tax Identification Number
· The name, address and telephone number of the establishment
· The name, address, and telephone number of the owner or corporation
You will need to submit the following with your application:
· The initial permit fee of $100. We accept cash, check or money order
· A copy of your floor plan and equipment schedule
On your plans, please indicate clearly, whom we should notify in the event
that a change is necessary. This will prevent a delay in processing your application.
Once you have submitted your application and your floor plan is approved you may begin
construction. You should plan to contact us again for an opening inspection approximately
one week before the date you wish to open. Waiting and calling too close to your planned opening date may result in unnecessary delays due to scheduling conflicts or necessary
changes in equipment or the facility.
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What is a food safety certification course and where
do we get it?
The code requires that all food service establishments
employ at least one person during all hours of operation
who has successfully completed a Manager Certification Course that is
approved by the Department for food protection.
A widely recognized standard for food safety certification is the ServSafeTM
Applied Food Service Sanitation course offered by the Education
Foundation of the National Restaurant Association. Registered instructors
nationwide teach this course.
For your convenience, our department has a registered instructor and the
classes are held monthly. For more information, consult the ServSafe
Class Schedule. You may also take the course from the Missouri
Restaurant Association, Forest
Park Community College, Meramec
College, Florissant
Valley Community College, or St.
Charles County Community College.
Acceptability of comparable courses taken in other states will be evaluated
on an individual basis.
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What is a Frozen Dessert Permit, and where do we get it?
The Missouri Department of Health has regulations that govern all establishments that produce
ice cream or serve soft-serve custard, ice cream, ice milk or frozen yogurt. For more information
on applying for a frozen dessert permit contact The Missouri Department of Health
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What if we want to serve liquor in our establishment?
Although we will inspect all bar areas and they must be included in your floor plan and equipment schedule,
you will be required to conform to all applicable state and federal liquor control regulations as well as our code.
Contact your city hall and the Missouri Department of Liquor Control for more information.
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How often do inspections take place?
Environmental health sanitarians perform routine inspections on a quarterly schedule for most food
establishments. Frequency may differ depending upon the nature of the establishment and its seasons
of operation.
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Are inspections announced and scheduled or are they unannounced?
Routine inspections are unannounced. Appointments may be made under certain circumstances if there is a
special need, or if the establishment does not have a regular schedule of operation.
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What documents do I need to have on file or display for my inspection?
You must have your food establishment permit and food safety certification course
certificates for all certified employees on public display in a prominent location
in your establishment. You should be prepared to match food safety certificates to
current employee records upon request.
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What if I have a question about my inspection?
Your inspector will always be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your
establishment's inspection report. You are encouraged to discuss any issues or ideas
during the course of the inspection or to contact the individual inspector by telephone.
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Are my inspection reports made public?
Yes. Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, all inspections are a matter of public record
and can be viewed by anyone. In addition, all other documentation is a matter of
public record (applications, ownership information, etc.)
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I want to remodel my establishment. Do I need to contact your department?
Plans for any significant change in your food establishment facility or equipment layout
must be approved by our department. There are no fees associated with this process.
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I am selling an existing, permitted establishment. What do I need to do?
If you are selling your establishment, you should make the new owners aware of any
uncorrected violations from your previous inspection reports. These items
must be repaired before a new license is issued. It is also helpful to provide
them with product information on the equipment in your facility as well as the
name of any service contractors who are familiar with equipment repair history.
You should contact our department and inform us of a change of ownership so that
your name is removed from our files.
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I am purchasing an existing, permitted establishment. What will I need to do?
Read the FAQ's for opening a food establishment, food safety certification, liquor
and frozen dessert permits. Food establishment permits are non-transferable and the
fees are not pro-rated. New owners must apply for their permit prior to assuming
responsibility of ownership of the establishment. Floor plan and equipment schedule
submission is not generally required on a change of ownership unless the new owner
plans extensive remodeling or changes.
Establishments currently in operation, which are free from any unresolved violations,
may not require an inspection before operating under the new ownership. If there is an
outstanding violation regarding facility/equipment repair, critical violations
(see the codebook for further explanation) or food safety
certification, you will be required to correct it and have an approval inspection
before you begin operation. These matters will be discussed with you when you submit
your permit application.
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