An "Establishment Permit" is required to operate a food establishment in the City of Alexandria. Food Establishments include restaurants, carry-outs, caterers, cafeterias, grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat/poultry/seafood markets, commissaries, vending machines requiring refrigeration, and food services for businesses and facilities. These permits must be renewed every year.

To apply or renew your establishment permit, please submit the following to Alexandria Health Department 

• A completed Establishment Permit Application
• Any additional forms explained in the permit application.
• A check or money order for your establishment's permit fee. (see details below)

For new businesses, you will also have to pass an opening inspection. An environmental health specialist will then explain how regular inspections work. For existing establishments, renewed permits will be mailed to you. 

Please note, if you are:

• Building a new food establishment
• Remodeling, replacing equipment, or making big changes to your menu or services (reviewed case by case)

Then, you will need an approved plan before you request a permit. See details below under "Plan Reviews"

Need Help? See our Applicant Guide

Required to operate a food truck, or mobile food establishment in the City of Alexandria. 

Step 1: Review our Mobile Food Vendor City of Alexandria Permitting Guide. This is very important because the City of Alexandria has different rules than Fairfax, Arlington, and other neighboring jurisdictions. 

Step 2: Submit a Food Establishment Plan Review Application and fee. 

Step 3: Submit any additional applications through the City's Permit Center. 

Need Help? View our Food Truck User Guide.

A "Temporary Food Event Coordinator Permit" is required for those coordinating the selling or giving of food at a public event. A "Temporary Food Event Vendor Permit" is required for every vendor that intends to sell or give away food at a public event.  Temporary permits cannot be renewed - the maximum length for this type of permit is fourteen days.

To receive health permits for your special event, please submit the following to Alexandria Health Department at least 30 days before your event:

Event Organizer

• A completed temporary food event coordinator permit. This must be submitted no matter how many vendors are at the event.

Food Vendor (every vendor at the event must submit) 

• A completed temporary food event vendor permit
• A permit fee (see details below).

Note: Additional permits from other city departments may be required. Visit Special Events Permits for more information. 

A "Temporary Food Event Vendor Permit" is required for every vendor that intends to prepare food on-site at a farmer's market (such as hot sandwiches) so they can sell or give away food at a public event.  Temporary permits cannot be renewed - the maximum length for this type of permit is fourteen days.

To apply for a temporary food event permit, please submit the following to Alexandria Health Department at least 30 days before the event. 

• A completed temporary food event vendor permit
• A permit fee (see details below).

If you are selling previously uncooked produce or previously prepared food (e.g. baked goods), you do not need a temporary event permit. However, all previously prepared food must be made in an approved kitchen. If you have questions, call AHD at 703.746.4910. 

See Also: 

• City Farmers Market Website

• Labeling Requirements from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

An "Establishment Permit" is required to operate a pool or aquatic facility in the City of Alexandria. It must be renewed every year. To apply or renew an establishment permit, please submit the following to Alexandria Health Department 

• A completed Establishment Permit Application
• A check or money order for your establishment's permit fee. (see details below)
• Any additional forms explained in the permit application. 

In addition to a permit, you must also renew your Pool Management Company License each year. Visit our Aquatic Health website for information on pool management licenses and licensed pool operator requirements. Our website also has a "pre-opening guide" to help pool operators prepare for opening their pool each season. 

A "Hotel Operation Permit" is required to operate a hotel or short-term housing in the City of Alexandria. It must be renewed every year. 

To apply or renew for a hotel operation permit, please submit the following to the Alexandria Health Department.  

• A completed hotel permit application
• A permit fee (see details below)

A "Well Permit" is required Required for both potable and non-potable wells (including geo-thermal wells) before drilling or abandonment. You must submit a plan review as well. See fee schedule below. 

Well Permit Application form

For specific plan requirements, please review our guide. If submitting well plans, call AHD at 703.746.4910 - wells require a different plan review process. 

Establishment plans, unless for a mobile food vendor, should be submitted to the Permit Processing center at 301 King Street before being brought to the Health Department.  All plans must be neat, legible, and drawn to scale, and include:

• A completed Construction or Revision Application with a Permit # designated by the Permit Processing Center.  Apply online through the Online Permit Center.
• All new and existing equipment specifications or cut sheets (the hot water heater specs must also be included!)
• A menu or list of services to be rendered
• A Health Department plan review fee 

Review times will vary based on the complexity of the project, the information provided, and health department capacity. Plans are processed on a first come first serve basis. Alexandria Health Department does not expedite any reviews. 

Here are some items that can help you plan your time accordingly: 

• Our office will approve or reject a completed plan submission within ten (10) business days of receipt.  A completed plan submission refers to a set of plans that includes all documents, drawings, and paperwork needed to verify that the proposed project will comply with our code and regulations.  If your original plans are rejected and a revision must be submitted, the revision submission will start a new ten (10) business day deadline.
• The plan review is not an approval to operate your establishment.
• The plan review does not include pre-opening inspections required after a permit application is submitted.  An approved plan does not guarantee a permit will be recommended during the first inspection.

You can pay:

• In person at our office
• By mail (no cash) to:
  • Alexandria Health Department - Environmental Health Division, 4850 Mark Center Drive, 4th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22311

Payment options:

• Our preferred method is check or money order.
• Cash is only accepted in person and must be exact change.
• We cannot accept starter checks (often used by new businesses).

Who to make checks payable to:

• For fees marked S: Pay to Alexandria Health Department.
• For fees marked C: Pay to City of Alexandria.

Credit cards can only be used for fees marked S.