Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Fire Marshal’s Office?
We are located in TLC2 building (#106). It is on the East side of Cullen, South of Wheeler and directly across Cullen Oaks Apartments.
What are your office hours?
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Where do I find the policies/rules for a Temporary Food Dealer’s Permit?
You may find our policies here.
Where can I fill out the Temporary Food Dealer’s Permit?
Registered Student Organizations may submit permit requests using the Get Involved portal on AccessUH. Requests must be made by a top three officer. Requests submitted through Get Involved are reviewed by multiple departments. Permit requests may also be emailed to foodsafety@uh.edu.
How do I know what foods I am allowed to serve?
Review the low-, medium-, and high-Risk categories (located on pages 2-3) within the Temporary Food Dealer’s policies and procedures. Your menu must be on the list of approved foods. If you need further guidance on whether or not certain food items can be served on campus, please email foodsafety@uh.edu.
How soon should I submit my temporary food permit for review?
All food permits must be submitted for review at least three business days prior to the date of your event. If you are submitting your request through Get Involved, then your event submission must be fully approved by all reviewers a minimum of 48 hours prior to the event date. Please plan accordingly.
What happens if I submit my request late?
You will receive a time violation. Three violations will suspend you from serving or selling food on campus. Permits will not be approved on the day of an event. Any organization operating without an approved temporary food dealer's permit will be immediately placed on suspension. The length of the suspension will be determined by the Fire Marshal's Office.
Can I email my food permit request for review?
Yes. Food permit requests may be sent to foodsafety@uh.edu for review. Our office will respond by the next business day.
Do I need to submit any additional forms/documents when submitting my food permit request?
It depends. If you are purchasing food from an off-campus vendor, then you will need to provide the vendor's food establishment permit and food manager's certificate. Examples of these documents from various local health departments can be found here. If you are serving high-risk items, then you must also provide your food handler's certificate or a food handler's certificate from a member of your organization. For more information on Food Handlers courses, please visit our Resources section.
