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 28, 2026
A church supper, summer fundraiser, market booth, or weekend food tent in Erie County may need a health permit. Reserving the event space is a different step.
Erie County has one temporary-food form and another for exempt groups. The regular form must reach the county at least five days before food service begins. It also warns that running a food service without a permit is a misdemeanor under Part 14 of the New York State Sanitary Code.
The exempt-group form has its own delivery choices. Erie lists email to Tempfood@erie.gov, fax, or mail to the Department of Health at 503 Kensington Avenue in Buffalo.
If the group uses the exempt route, open that form and follow its directions. Otherwise, open the regular form and file it at least five days before food service begins.
Keep the event date, food setup, correct form, filing record, and county reply together. Finish the health step while the menu, handwashing setup, and worker plan can still change.