Form DEH:FH-152, Application for Public Health Permit, is the form the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) uses to issue health permits to businesses such as food facilities, pools, body art facilities and massage establishments. It is a health permit, not a business license: for mobile food trucks, the City of San Diego's Information Bulletin 148 lists the County Public Health Permit and a Business Tax Certificate from the City Treasurer as separate approvals. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the County at the official source link.
Last updated
What is DEH:FH-152?
Form DEH:FH-152, Application for Public Health Permit, is the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) application used to request a public health permit for regulated businesses such as food facilities, pools, body art facilities and massage establishments.
One form covers many permit types. At the top you check the APPLICATION TYPE: Food Facility, Mobile Food, Pool/Body of Water, Massage Establishment, Public Housing, Body Art Facility, Resort/Entertainment Complex, Seasonal Organized Camp, Annual Organized Camp, Class B Cottage Food Operation or Charitable Feeding Food Facility. A separate box is for a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) permit. Page 1 collects business, applicant, billing and owner information; sections for food facilities, mobile food facilities, housing, pools and body art facilities are completed only for the matching permit. Page 2 carries the declarations, the signature block and a CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP ONLY section.
The form belongs to the DEHQ Food and Housing Division (FHD) and prints English and Spanish labels side by side. It is not the City of San Diego's Business Tax Certificate and not the city's separate Mobile Food Truck Permit Application (DS-210), which Information Bulletin 148 describes as a different approval from the Development Services Department.
Who needs to file DEH:FH-152?
Owners or operators of businesses that DEHQ regulates and that need a health permit file Form DEH:FH-152, checking the application type that matches the business.
- Food facilities, mobile food facilities, Class B cottage food operations, charitable feeding food facilities and MEHKO applicants.
- Pools and other bodies of water, resorts and entertainment complexes, and seasonal or annual organized camps.
- Massage establishments, public housing (apartment complexes and hotels/motels) and body art facilities.
- Buyers or new owners of an existing permitted business, who use the CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP ONLY section.
An honorably discharged veteran who is a sole owner may be entitled to a fee exemption for certain food-related permits, according to the form.
The signer declares the information is true and may authorize any owner, partner or authorized agent listed on the application to make changes on behalf of the permit. Do not treat this form as a business license: the City of San Diego bulletin for mobile food trucks says a Business Tax Certificate from the City Treasurer is a separate requirement.
When to file DEH:FH-152
File before you open: by signing, the applicant agrees not to operate until a valid health permit is issued, and the form states that a food facility shall not be open for business without a valid health permit (Section 114381 of the California Health & Safety Code and Section 61.104 of the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinance). Permit fees for investigating a regulated business operating without a permit are three (3) times the annual permit fee, payable in addition to the current permit fee.
For a change of ownership, submit the application with the documents listed in that section. The form notes that processing may take up to two weeks.
The form says an issued permit continues to renew annually, and fees keep accruing until the owner, partner or authorized agent asks DEHQ-FHD to inactivate it. Changes to an existing facility, including menu, equipment, commissary or ownership changes, need prior written approval.
Documents you need
- Commissary agreement letter: required with a mobile food facility application.
- Toilet facility letter: required with a mobile food facility application, if applicable.
- List of locations: attach if the mobile unit will not operate at one location at all times.
- Infection Prevention and Control Plan (IPCP): submit with a body art facility application; practitioners must be registered with DEHQ.
- Separate sheet listing partners or officers: attach if the space on the form is not enough.
- Change of ownership: Health Permit Application (this form), proof of ownership (such as a business license or seller's permit), menu/food items produced (food facilities and mobile food facilities only) and the change of ownership questionnaire (food facilities only).
How to fill out DEH:FH-152
Choose preferred languages
Select your Preferred Language and Preferred Secondary Language from the listed options, or Other. This helps FHD translate applications and materials.
Select the application type
Check the APPLICATION TYPE that matches your business, such as Food Facility, Mobile Food, Body Art Facility or Class B Cottage Food Operation. If you apply for a MEHKO permit, also check the MEHKO box at the end of page 1.
Enter business information
Write the Business Name (DBA), Business Address (DBA), Assumed Business Date (month, day, year) and Days & Hours of Operation.
Complete applicant and billing sections
Enter name, email, phone numbers and address for the applicant, then for billing. Check the box in each section if it is the same as the owner.
Enter owner information
Check the Type of Ownership (Sole Owner, Partnership, Corporation or Non-Profit) and enter the owner or entity name, email, phone numbers and address. List partners or officers, on a separate sheet if needed.
Complete the food facility section
Food facilities only: enter employees, prep areas, square footage, vending machines, outdoor and indoor dining options, seating capacity and square footage, restroom type and counts, drive-thru, and the year the building was built.
Complete the mobile food section
Mobile food facilities only: answer whether the unit operates at one location at all times and list locations if not. Enter the number of mobile units, and submit the commissary agreement letter and toilet facility letter if applicable.
Complete housing or pool sections
Housing permit only: enter housing units, facility type and contact. Pool permit only: enter bodies of water, facility type, contact and inspection access (key, lockbox or on-site contact).
Select body art services
Body art facilities only: check every service you will provide (tattooing, permanent cosmetics, body piercing, branding or mobile body art) and prepare the IPCP to submit with the application.
Read the declarations and sign
Review the declarations on page 2, then enter Authorized Signature, Date, Print Name and Title.
Complete change of ownership section
Change of ownership only: gather the health permit application, proof of ownership, menu/food items (food and mobile food facilities) and the questionnaire (food facilities).
Review and download the PDF
Check that only the sections for your permit type are filled and attachments are ready. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit DEH:FH-152
The form lists the DEHQ Food and Housing Division's contact points: an office address, a mailing address and an email address. Its office-use block includes an Email Application option.
- In person: 5500 Overland Ave #170, San Diego, CA 92123.
- By mail: P.O. Box 129261, San Diego, CA 92112-9261.
- By email: [email protected].
- By phone: (858) 505-6666.
Include the attachments that apply to your permit type (see required documents). Fees apply: after an invoice is generated, the form lists three ways to pay: online at www.dehqpay.com, in person at 5500 Overland Ave, #170, San Diego, CA 92123, or by mail to P.O. Box 129261, San Diego, CA 92112-9261. The form does not print amounts, so call DEHQ for current fees. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Opening or operating before a valid health permit is issued; the form says fees for investigating an unpermitted business are three times the annual permit fee.
- Submitting a mobile food application without the commissary agreement letter, or without the toilet facility letter where applicable.
- Applying for a body art facility without the Infection Prevention and Control Plan, or with practitioners not registered with DEHQ.
- Changing the menu, equipment, commissary or ownership of an existing facility without prior written approval.
- Not asking DEHQ-FHD to inactivate a permit you no longer need; it renews annually and fees keep accruing.
- Sending a change of ownership without all the listed documents, such as proof of ownership or the questionnaire for food facilities.
- Completing the sections for other permit types instead of only the one matching your application type.
- Filling a printed copy in ink other than blue or black; the form asks for blue or black ink only.
- Leaving partners or officers out when the owner is an entity; attach a separate sheet if necessary.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form DEH:FH-152?
Form DEH:FH-152 is the County of San Diego DEHQ Application for Public Health Permit. One form covers food facilities, mobile food, pools, massage establishments, public housing, body art, resorts, organized camps, cottage food and charitable feeding permits, plus changes of ownership.
Is the Public Health Permit a San Diego business license?
No. It is a County health permit. The City of San Diego's bulletin for mobile food trucks lists the County Public Health Permit and a Business Tax Certificate issued by the City Treasurer as separate approvals, with non-profits exempt from the certificate.
Can I open my business before the health permit is issued?
No. By signing, you agree not to operate until a valid health permit is issued. The form adds that investigation fees for a regulated business operating without a permit are three times the annual permit fee, payable in addition to the current fee.
How do I pay the permit fee?
Fees apply, and the form lists payment options after an invoice is generated: online at www.dehqpay.com, in person at 5500 Overland Ave, #170, San Diego, CA 92123, or by mail to P.O. Box 129261, San Diego, CA 92112-9261. Call (858) 505-6666 for amounts.
Does the health permit renew every year?
Yes. The form states that an issued permit continues to renew annually and fees keep accruing until the owner, partner or authorized agent asks DEHQ-FHD to inactivate it. To stop renewal, submit that request.
What do I need for a change of ownership?
Submit the health permit application, proof of ownership such as a business license or seller's permit, and, for food and mobile food facilities, the menu or food items produced. Food facilities also need the change of ownership questionnaire.
What extra documents do mobile food or body art applicants submit?
Mobile food applicants must submit a commissary agreement letter and a toilet facility letter if applicable. Body art applicants must submit an Infection Prevention and Control Plan (IPCP), and practitioners must be registered with DEHQ.
Can I fill out Form DEH:FH-152 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent, is not affiliated with the County, and does not submit the form; you send it to DEHQ through the contacts printed on the form.
Ready to fill out DEH:FH-152?
Fill out DEH:FH-152 now