Temporary Restaurant

Temporary food service operations include any food service establishment which operates at the same location in conjunction with a fair, carnival, circus, or similar public event.
Individuals or groups planning to provide food at an event must first obtain a temporary restaurant license. The Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS 624.086) require each food booth in operation during an event to have its own separate license. A license is only valid for the specific event, and must be conspicuously posted. The license is valid for the length of the even or up to 30 days, whichever comes first.
All tax-exempt, nonprofit benevolent organizations are also required to have a separate license for each food booth in operation during an event. A benevolent temporary restaurant license is valid for the length of the event or up to three days, whichever comes first. The same benevolent organization can obtain a temporary benevolent license up to 13 times within a calendar year.
Mobile food units with a current license from another Oregon county operating at an event in Washington County are required to pay an inspection fee prior to operation and are inspected at the time of the event. These mobile food units must provide our office with a copy of their current license. Out of state mobile food units operating at events in Washington County are required to obtain a temporary restaurant license.
An application for a temporary restaurant should be received in our office at least one week before the event. This enables our department to review your application ahead of time to address any possible concerns indicated on the application. The following documents are available to download:
There is a $25 discount for applications received five or more business days in advance of the event.
Forms and Information
- Guidelines for Temporary Food Vendors
- Food Booth Checklist
- Handwashing Station (in Spanish)
- License Application
- Temporary Restaurant Operation Guide
- Food Handler Card
Fees
Contact us with any questions or concerns.

