Permits/Licensing

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How to Obtain an Establishment Permit

  • For new fixed establishments please complete the Plan Review Application. For existing fixed establishments please complete the Permit Renewal Application. 
  • Submit completed application(s) via email, mail, or in person at the Show Low Health Department.
  • New Establishments: Once your application and plan review is approved, a Health Inspector will contact you to schedule an inspection. During the inspection they will classify your establishment as one of the codes listed below, which will also determine the permit fee(s). 

Online Payments

Make payments here for the following: 

  • Environmental Health Permits
  • Animal Control Licensing
  • Indigent Cremation
  • Car Seats
  • Vaccines, Family Planning, and more

Type 1 Establishments (Limited Preparation): Are those establishments that do not prepare any potentially hazardous foods. They may have limited storage of pre-packaged potentially hazardous foods.

Type 2 Establishments (Moderate Preparation): Are those establishments that store a significant amount of potentially hazardous foods, sell or prepare potentially hazardous foods.  They have limited menus and may have potentially hazardous foods.

Type 3 Establishments (Complex Preparation): Are those establishments that have an extensive menu which requires the handling of raw ingredients; and is involved in the complex preparation of menu items that includes the cooking, cooling, and reheating of potentially hazardous foods.   

FEE CODE FEE NAME PERMIT FEE FEE CODE FEE NAME PERMIT FEE
  EH-1 Type 1: Limited Est. $200.00   EH-11 Campground/RV/Trailer Park $200.00
  EH-2 Type 1: Plan Review $200.00   EH-12 Waste Water Hauler each $100.00
  EH-3 Type 2: Moderate Est. $250.00   EH-13 Water Hauler each $100.00
  EH-4 Type 2: Plan Review $250.00   EH-14 Pool/Spa each $100.00
  EH-5 Type 3: Complex Est. $350.00   EH-15 Pool/Spa Plan Review $100.00
  EH-6 Type 3: Plan Review $350.00   EH-16 Re-Inspection Fee (per inspection) $100.00
  EH-7 Temporary Food Est. $ 50.00   EH-17 Late Fees 30 days $ 50.00
  EH-8 Seasonal Food $200.00   EH-18 Late Notice 60 days $ 50.00
  EH-9 Hotel/Motel 1-30 rooms $200.00   EH-19 Late Notice 90 days $ 50.00
  EH-10 Hotel/Motel 31+ rooms $300.00   EH-25 Misc. Plan Review Fee $150.00   
  • Pay for the permit in person, by mail, or phone at the Show Low Health Department. 
  • You may also pay online using the form above.
  • After the permit payment is received, an establishment permit will be emailed from our online database, Health Space, to the email address listed on the permit application.
  • Once you receive the permit, print and display in your establishment.

 

Forms

Navajo County Ordinance (01-09) prohibits the operation of any facility (Food & Beverage, Hotels & Motels, Trailer Coach Parks, Camp Grounds, Public Swimming Pools/Spas, and Septage Haulers) without the required permit/license. Any facility operating without the required permit/license may be subject to immediate closure and may be subject to legal action. See the attached application for a listing of permit/license types and applicable fees.

*Permit applications can be emailed to kathryn.mathewson@navajocountyaz.gov or dropped in the drop box at the Holbrook or Show Low offices. 
 

Business Bill of Rights

All permit holders under the inspection authority of the Department of Environmental Health are advised of their rights during an inspection in accordance with state law. A copy of these rights are provided during all inspections. See the link below for more information.

Facilities

Food & Beverage

The Department of Environmental Health provides guidance to business owners through a plan review process specific to the type of operation (Fixed Establishments, Mobile Food Establishments, and Temporary Food Establishments). Once approved, inspections of food establishments are completed based on risk classification and will generally focus on risk factors that most commonly contribute to foodborne illness. Below are additional guidance documents and general information related to operating a food and beverage establishment.

Plan Review and Licensing

In accordance with Arizona Food Code (8-201.11), the construction of a new food or beverage establishment, conversion of ownership for an existing food or beverage establishment (licenses/permits are not transferable), or remodeling of a food establishment by the permitted owner requires submission of plans to ensure compliance with all applicable codes. The Department of Environmental Health utilizes current guidance provided by the Conference of Food Protection to evaluate plans and approve operations during the pre-operational inspection(s). Upon completion of the pre-operational inspection, the applicable permit/license fee is required to be submitted for issuance of permit/license.

Permit/License Exemptions

Businesses operating under the Arizona Department of Health Services Home Baked and Confectionary Goods program are exempt from the above requirements. Businesses are required to register for the program and meet all of the requirements outlined under state law. Click the link below for additional information on this program.

Risk Based Inspections

Inspections of permitted food establishments are completed based on a risk classification that is assigned at the time of license/permit issuance. At a minimum, inspections will focus on the following risk factors that most commonly contribute to foodborne illness:

  1. Poor employee hygiene and health
  2. Improper holding of foods
  3. Improper cooking of foods
  4. Use of contaminated equipment
  5. Foods from an unsafe source

Complex Facility (2 inspections per year)

Prepares and holds hot or cold food for more than 12 hours before serving; and/or cooks and cools a significant number of foods during the food handling process; and/or prepares food for off-site service; and/or vacuum packs food; and/or serves a highly susceptible population.

Moderate Facility (1-2 inspections per year)

Food prepared in the facility from raw ingredients requires minimal assembly; and/or hot or cold food preparation in the facility is restricted to same day service; and/or foods requiring preparation in the facility are from approved processing facilities.

Limited Facility (1 inspection per year)

Only pre-packaged potentially hazardous foods are available or sold; and/or potentially hazardous foods served are commercially pre-packaged in an approved food processing facility; and/or only conducts limited preparation of potentially hazardous foods and beverages; and/or only serves beverages.

Utilizing a risk based approach to inspections places a focus on immediate corrective action for risk factor violations. To document corrective action requirements, the person in charge of the facility will be provided a report detailing the corrective actions required and timeframe for compliance in accordance with Arizona Food Code. A follow up inspection may be required to verify corrective action is completed for violations that are unable to be completed at time of inspection. Additional inspections may also be completed due to public complaints, suspected foodborne illness outbreak, or upon request for training purposes.

Hotels & Motels

The Department of Environmental Health may issue up to three permits/licenses for Hotels & Motels. The main permit/license type is for public accommodation which requires an inspection at least once per year. The inspection ensures that facilities are properly maintained and that sanitation is adequate to maintain public health. Additional inspections may occur in response to public nuisance and/or sanitation complaints.

Related Permits

  • See Food and Beverage for Continental Breakfast permits
  • See Swimming Pools/Spas for Pool and Spa permits

Trailer Coach Parks and Campgrounds

The Department of Environmental Health may approve up to three permits/licenses for Trailer Coach Parks and Campgrounds. The main permit/license type is for the public grounds/facilities which requires an inspection at least once per year. The inspection ensures that grounds/facilities are properly maintained and that sanitation is adequate to maintain public health. Additional inspections may occur in response to public nuisance and/or sanitation complaints.

Related Permits

  • See Food and Beverage for Community Kitchen permits
  • See Public Swimming Pools/Spas for Pool and Spa permits

Swimming Pools and Spas

The Department of Environmental Health approves permits/licenses for Swimming Pools and Spas. An annual inspection will be conducted to verify proper maintenance, sanitation, and water quality. The inspection ensures that the pool or spa is properly maintained and that sanitation is adequate to maintain public health. Additional inspections may occur in response to public sanitation complaints and/or the occurrence of a recreational water illness. See below for operational guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Department of Environmental Health does not approve plans for new construction of swimming pools and spas. The department does recommend use of guidelines outlined in the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code and that are required by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. See the links below for additional guidance.

Septage Haulers

The Department of Environmental Health issues licenses/permits for septage (wastewater) haulers in accordance with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality standards. Annual inspections are completed to ensure vehicles are properly maintained and that disposal activities are adequate to maintain public health.