Food Hygiene/Food service
The EH staff ensures that food establishments regulated by the local health department are operated in accordance with applicable regulations and in a safe and sanitary manner to minimize the occurrence of food borne illness. Inspections of food service includes facilities such as:
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public and private schools
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child and adult care centers
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hospitals
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nursing homes
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bars/lounges that do not serve food
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institutional and detention facilities
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fraternal organizations
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movie theaters
Each year thousands of people become ill following the ingestion of contaminated or unwholesome food. The need to prevent food related illness by regulating the sanitary practices of food establishments is therefore and important part of the environmental health program.
Food Hygiene Code, Chapter 64E-11, F.A.C.
(.pdf
- 161 KB)
Permit and Licenses Information
- New facilities, remodeled facilities, or facilities that have been closed greater than three months will need a plan review. This requires submission of a Plan Review Application (.pdf
- 19 KB). The fee for plan review is $40.00/hr. You must have approval prior to construction.
- Operating permits are obtained by filing a County/State Permit Application (.pdf
- 490 KB). Call Environmental Health Services at 321-633-2100 for appropriate fee amounts.
- Alcoholic Beverages License - In order for Environmental Health staff to sign the application for beverage license, the establishment must first pass inspection by meeting all State sanitary requirements. All required equipment fixtures must be installed and operating properly before approval can be given. You will need to include a
Beverage Paper Fee of $30.00 with the
County/State Permit application
(.pdf - 490 KB).
- Temporary Food Service Events that take place on properties regulated by Environmental Health Services must complete the Temporary Food Services Registration (.pdf
- 703 KB) with our office. Please refer to the Temporary Food Services Guidelines Brochure (.pdf
- 1.13 MB). The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) regulates events on commercial properties and property privately owned by the Government such as streets and parks. Contact the DBPR at 1-800-487-1395 or go to www.myflorida.com/dbpr/ for more information.
Other types of food service establishments are handled by The Department of Business and Professional Regulation or by The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 
Biomedical waste program
Biomedical waste (needles, syringes, blood, etc.) can carry HIV, Hepatitis B or other human disease causing agents. Facilities that generate these potentially infectious materials are monitored to make sure their biomedical waste is properly handled and packaged in red biohazard bags and sharpes containers. The proper management of biomedical waste reduces the risk of exposure to health care workers and waste treatment facility personnel, transporters and the general public. More information and link to an application for a Biomedical Waste Permit can be found at
Brevard County - Biomedical Waste Program site.
Body Piercing
Inspections and licensure of these facilities assures that aseptic technique is used when these services are provided to the public. This program assures the waste generated by these operations are handled and disposed of properly. More information and a link to an application for a Body Piercing Salon License can be found at
Brevard County - Body Piercing site.
Adult Entertainment
Sanitation inspections are conducted to all such facilities operated in Brevard as required by county code.
Sanitary Nuisances
Sanitary nuisances injurious to the public health like overflowing septic tanks, lift stations, rats and vermin, improper garbage disposal and other conditions that may affect the health of the community are investigated and abated by EH staff.
Tanning Salons
Just like sunlight, tanning beds and booths can increase your risk of skin cancer, if exposure is not limited. EH staff inspects these facilities to make sure timers are accurate and tanning bulbs are proper which minimize the safety problems associated with these products. Inspectors also check to assure the public is not being over exposed. More information can be found at
Brevard County - Tanning Facilities site.
Child Care
Brevard is one of the few counties in which EH are also the licensing agency for child care centers. In addition to the licensing of the centers EH staff inspects and ensures that all child care facilities are operated in accordance with applicable regulations and in a safe and sanitary manner. More information can be found at
Brevard County - Child Care site and
Brevard County - Family Day Care site.
Group Care Facilities
Children, elderly and ill persons living in group care facilities are at a high risk for diseases. Inspections ensure good sanitary and safety practices related to the construction, operation and maintenance of group care facilities in order to reduce the risk of transmitting disease to residents, workers, and visitors. EH staff inspects the facilities in order to maintain healthy populations. More information can be found at Brevard County - Group Care Facilities site 
.
Mobile Home & RV Parks
In many mobile homes or recreational vehicle parks water supplies and sewage disposal systems can become overloaded resulting in an increased risk of disease. Because of the temporary nature of water and sewer connections for these vehicular residences, EH staff inspects water and sewer systems to prevent environmentally transmitted illness. Other areas checked during inspections are animal control, garbage disposal and unit spacing. More information and links to permits can be found at
Brevard County - Mobile Home & RV Parks site .
Animal Care
EH personnel inspect animal care facilities to assure humane & sanitary conditions are provided for by these facilities.
Indoor Air Quality
Poor indoor air quality can be linked to a variety of respiratory ailments. Brevard is part of a group of central Florida counties who contribute to a cooperative which is dedicated to working on Indoor air quality issues. The funding from this cooperative provides Indoor Air Specialist dedicated to answering questions and providing information to residents of the covered counties. Additionally the state office provides a hot line to answer questions on indoor air problems.
Lead Program
High levels of lead in paint soil and other sources can greatly harm the very young. EH provides information to prevent exposure and investigates high blood levels reported by the medical community to determine sources and remediation actions required to prevent additional exposure.
Medical Quality Assurance
Massage Therapy Establishments, Dental Laboratories and Electrolysis Facilities are licensed and inspected annually to determine compliance with established state standards EH staff checks these facilities to assure the public that all procedures and processes engaged by the affected businesses are meeting operational requirements. Prior to initial start up of each business a complete facility inspection must take place to determine if the facility had met all health requirements to open for business.
Arbovirus Sentinel Chicken Surveillance Program
Mosquito activity and their health impact upon the human and animal population over a number of decades has been a concern for the County Health Department. As a result the Mosquito Control Commission of Brevard County and the Brevard County Health Department have been tasked with establishing and monitoring chicken flocks in strategic locations throughout the county where mosquito activity prevails. The staff of the county mosquito commission routinely samples the blood of the chicken flock and provides the serum to the state lab for analysis. If the lab results are positive the health department generates action notices to the public on the cited mosquito activity and recommends implementation of precautionary measures to diminish the exposure to the various types of Encephalitis (West Nile, St. Louis, and Eastern Equine) to human and animal alike.
