Protecting our community's environment and public health.

Check with the event organizer first to get information regarding food rules. Submit an application that gives details on your food booth. Permitted Mobile Food Units may not be required to submit an application, but the event organizer will still need to get information from you. A valid Mobile Food Unit permit is sufficient for one-day events. Mobile Food Units operating at events lasting two or more days must obtain a Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit. Vendors who are not already permitted as a Mobile Food Unit or who are a non-exempt group will need to submit an application with a fee to the event organizer who will turn the applications in to Environmental Health. Our office will inspect your food booth on the day of the event approximately 2 hours before scheduled opening.

Twice per year an unannounced inspection is made by Environmental Health staff. Additional inspections are required if a childcare center receives a "provisional" or "disapproved" rating.

Any public pool, spa, or wading pool that serves more than one family is inspected and must receive an annual permit to operate. These pools may be located at apartments, condominiums, community centers, duplexes, and health clubs.

Inspections are conducted at least once per year. A new permit is required for each artist annually.

Mobile Food Units and pushcarts are permitted and inspected by the Health Department and must display a grade card.

NC Environmental Health rules and regulations are located in the Environmental Health section of the NC Health and Human Services website.

The On-Site Water Protection section is responsible for the on-site sewage and private wells program that evaluates land to determine suitability for an on-site ground absorption sewage disposal (septic tank) and/or private water supply well. Septic permits and well permits are issued after site and soil evaluations are performed and the site meets applicable conditions. Septic systems reconnection permits are also issued after a site review and conditions are determined to be satisfactory. Certain alternative septic systems require maintenance management inspections. Private well water sampling is also performed.

Families concerned that their child may have elevated levels of lead in their blood should schedule a child health clinic appointment. Depending on the level of lead in the child's blood, environmental health staff may recommend or require a home environmental assessment and/or our WIC program may provide nutrition education to remedy the impact on the child's health and wellbeing. Contact our office to get started.