What permits do you need to open a restaurant in Schenectady County?

Catering / Commissary Permit

A caterer or commissary kitchen in Schenectady County needs a catering permit from Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division. The county Food Services FAQ describes the catering permit as the one for an operation that "prepares and/or provides food intended for individual portion service at the premises of the consumer." Per the Schenectady County Public Health Services Permit Fee Determination Schedule (linked from the county's Environmental Health Permits page as the "Appropriate fee"), the line "CATERERS AND COMMISSARIES" is $365, and the FAQ states "Catering permits are $365/year" and that catering permits are "year-round permits that must be renewed annually." The schedule prints no effective date; Schenectady County Sanitary Code §125.01(I)(2) provides that fees are set and amended by the county legislature by resolution. New or modified kitchens go through plan review at $150 per project ("CATERERS, COMMISSARIES, MOBILE FOOD, ETC." in the county's Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule). The Permits page asks catering applicants for a menu, a list of events with dates, hours and locations, and a manager-level food safety training certificate for at least one person. The FAQ states: "If you have a valid catering or mobile food service permit to operate in Schenectady County, you do not need a temporary food service permit to provide food for an event in Schenectady County." The Permits page accepts proof of exemption from payment in place of the fee (NYS form ST-119.1 and an IRS letter granting 501(c)(3) status). The Permits page accepts online applications through the Schenectady County Citizen Engagement Portal ("Pay by debit, credit card, or e-check"), or applications by mail or in person at 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 300, with checks payable to the County of Schenectady; it states "Partial Payments are not accepted."

Food Worker Training — Local Option under 10 NYCRR 14-1.73 (New York)

Under 10 NYCRR section 14-1.73 there is no statewide food handler card in New York and the state charges no fee for one — the opposite of what most states do. The rule is permissive: the permit-issuing official MAY establish training programmes and require owners or operators to attend. That makes it a county question and, in New York City, a city one. A real state mandate does exist but is narrow and sits with a different agency — a retail food store that prepares food on the premises must show that someone in the store has completed an approved food safety programme, unless the store is owner-run with no more than two full-time employees or had under $3,000,000 in gross sales last year. Even there the state approves providers and sets no price.

Shared with other businesses in Schenectady County

• Food Service Establishment Permit — Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division, $215–$315 per establishment per year, by seating capacity including takeout or stand-up service: "100 or less $215.00", "101 or more $315.00"; plus "FROZEN DESSERT - PHD Sec. 225(5)(s) $ 65.00" where it applies (Permit Fee Determination Schedule); plan review for a new or modified establishment $150 per project (Plan Review Fee Determination Schedule), annual; the county FAQ states food service establishment permits are "year-round permits that must be renewed annually". Also required for coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Temporary Food Service Permit — Schenectady County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division, $90 per vendor, per event ("TEMPORARY FOOD SERVICE ... Per booth/event $ 90.00" in the Permit Fee Determination Schedule; the application instructions state "Payment of $90 per vendor"), one event at a fixed location of not more than 14 consecutive days, per the county Food Services FAQ. Also required for food trucks and coffee shops; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
• Food Service Establishment Permit — New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection, No fee, set by the permit-issuing official, not to exceed two years. Also required for coffee shops and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.