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1. What do I need to apply for a residential kitchen permit?

Please visit the following link for more information regarding residential kitchen permit applications.

2. What do I need to start a Mobile Food Truck?

Please see the following link for information regarding mobile food trucks.

3. I would like to start a restaurant or food business in the City of Fitchburg. Who do I contact?

Please contact the Fitchburg Food Inspector, Sean-Michael Tantinarawat, at STantinarawat@fitchburgma.gov or at 978-829-1873 for an overview of the process. 

4. How do I respond to a sewage backup in a food establishment?

Please visit the following link for information regarding sewage backups.

5. How do I respond to a flood in a food establishment?

Please visit the following link for more information regarding flooding.

6. What are the Duties of the Person in Charge?

Please visit the following link for information regarding Persons in Charge (PICs).

7. How do I start a food truck, push cart or ice cream truck?

The best starting point to operating a "mobile food operation" such as a food truck, push cart, or ice cream truck within the City of Fitchburg is to contact the Fitchburg Health Department Food Inspector. Health Department, Fire Department, and Zoning requirements must be met in order to operate a mobile food operation within the City of Fitchburg and these requirements can be discussed by contacting the Fitchburg Food Inspector. 

8. How do I file a complaint about a Fitchburg food business?

If you have a complaint about a Fitchburg based food business, you can call us at 978-829-1873 or contact by e-mail to sholinko@fitchburgma.gov You can also submit your complaint via SeeClickFix. 

9. Do I need a temporary food permit?

If you as an individual, business or organization is going to serve food to the general public, for a fee or at no cost, a food permit is required. The Massachusetts State Sanitary Food Code 105 CMR 590.001 defines "TEMPORARY FOOD ESTABLISHMENT" as a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT that operates for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.If you, as an individual, business or organization is going to be serving food to the general public on a more frequent basis, an annual food permit may be a better option. 

There are several regulatory requirements to obtain a temporary food permit and therefor it is strongly encouraged that you, the business, or organization contact the Fitchburg Food Inspector at least 30 days prior to the date of operation to discuss the temporary food permit application process. 

To obtain the Temporary Food Permit Application, please click here.