Rules & Licenses · Western New York
Erie Temporary Food Events Need a Health Permit Lane
Erie County event food vendors should treat temporary food permits as an early planning step.
Published July 6, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026
A church supper, summer fundraiser, market booth, or one-weekend food tent in Erie County has a health-permit lane. It is not the same thing as reserving the event space or printing the menu.
Erie County Environmental Health lists a Temporary Food Establishment Application and a separate form for exempt organizations. The temporary food application asks for submission at least five days before operation begins. The form also warns that operating a food service establishment without a permit is a misdemeanor under Part 14 of the New York State Sanitary Code.
The exempt-organization route has its own delivery options. Erie lists email to Tempfood@erie.gov, fax, or mail to the Department of Health at 503 Kensington Avenue in Buffalo.
That gives organizers a real calendar clue. The food question belongs on the planning list while the table layout, handwashing setup, and volunteer schedule are still flexible.
For Buffalo, Amherst, Hamburg, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Orchard Park, or a village festival, the calm order is event date, food setup, application type, health-department submission, and approval record. The permit paperwork is much easier before the grill is hot and people are already in line.