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Town of Derry, NH
Rockingham County
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[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Derry 5-14-2012, effective 6-13-2012.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alcoholic beverages — See Ch. 12.
[1]
Editor's Note: This legislation also superseded former Ch. 55, Food Service Establishments, adopted 5-4-2010.
[Amended 6-17-2014, effective 7-17-2014]
A. 
The Town of Derry hereby adopts by reference the New Hampshire Rules for the Sanitary Production and Distribution of Food, He-P 2300, and any subsequent amendments thereto, so as to regulate food service establishments operating within its jurisdiction. Where there is a conflict between this chapter and He-P 2300, this chapter shall govern.
B. 
Notwithstanding § 55-1A, the following sections of He-P 2300 shall be replaced with § 55-3 of the Code of the Town of Derry: He-P 2304.01(a)(1) and (2), He-P 2304.02(a), (d) and (i) and He-P 2304.03 through He-P 2304.05. Section He-P 2304.01(b) shall be replaced with § 55-1F. Sections He-P 2302.02, He-P 2304.12(d), He-P 2306.01(b)(3), He-P 2306.02(a)(19), He-P 2306.02(c), He-P 2306.04 and He-P 2312 shall be deleted. References in He-P 2306.06(a) regarding emergency telephone numbers shall be replaced with "notify the Department at 603-845-5520, or if at night or during the weekends, at 603-432-6121, then press zero."
C. 
Wherever there is a reference to "Commissioner" in He-P 2300, it is replaced and inserted is "Health Authority of the Town of Derry."
D. 
Wherever there is a reference to "Department" in He-P 2300, it is replaced and inserted is the "Derry Public Health Department."
E. 
Wherever there are references to "RSA 541-A and He-C 200," they shall be replaced by § 55-3 of the Code of the Town of Derry.
F. 
All fines and fees shall be made payable to the Town of Derry. All applications, correspondence and fines shall be sent to:
Department of Public Health
Town of Derry
14 Manning Street
Derry, NH 03038
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Town Council of the Town of Derry, New Hampshire, and the Health Officer, in accordance with RSA 128:3.
FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT
Shall include all such establishments defined as such in the New Hampshire Rules for the Sanitary Production and Distribution of Food, He-P 2300. It shall also include those establishments that offer for sale packaged non-potentially hazardous food to the public.
HEALTH AUTHORITY
The Health Officer of the Town of Derry, New Hampshire, or his designated representatives, whose appointments shall be under the jurisdiction of RSA 128:1. He shall have police powers and sheriff's powers as designated in RSA 147:4 and RSA 147:5.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "sanitary food code," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 6-17-2014, effective 7-17-2014.
[Amended 6-17-2014, effective 7-17-2014]
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a food service establishment within the Town of Derry, New Hampshire, who does not possess a valid license issued to him by the Health Authority. Only a person who complies with the requirements of this chapter shall be entitled to receive and retain such a license. Licenses shall not be transferable from one person or place to another person or place. A valid license shall be conspicuously posted in every food service establishment. Licenses for temporary food service establishments shall be issued for a period of time not to exceed 14 days.
A. 
Issuance of licenses and fees.
[Amended 7-2-2020; 1-14-2021]
(1) 
Any person desiring to operate a food service establishment shall make written application for a license on forms provided by the Health Authority. Upon receipt of such an application and the designated license fee, and after inspection reveals that the requirements of this chapter have been met, a license shall be issued to the applicant by the Health Authority. All licenses issued shall be valid for one year following the date of issuance, or one year following the date of issuance of a provisional license, as applicable, and must be renewed annually. The fees shall be payable to the Town of Derry and shall be designated as follows:
[Amended 7-2-2020; 1-14-2021; 9-15-2023]
Classification of Food Service Establishments/License Fees
(TCS) = time/temperature control for safety
Type
Description
Fee
Type 1:
Restaurants/cafeterias with 200 seats or more
$550
Retail food stores with > 4 food preparation areas
Commercial processors selling > 100,000 packages/year
Type 2:
Restaurants/cafeterias with 75 to 199 seats
$375
Retail food stores with 2 to 3 food preparation areas
Hospitals/nursing homes
Type 3:
Restaurants/cafeterias with 25 to 74 seats
$250
Retail food stores with one food preparation area
Commercial processors selling < 100,000 packages/year
Off-site caterers
Bakeries/bakers
Type 4:
Restaurants/cafeterias with < 25 seats
$175
Establishments selling only prepackaged foods
Food processors operating in a shared kitchen
Home delivery services of packaged TCS or frozen food
Liquor lounges, bars or clubs with small food prep area
Warehouses; wholesalers/distributors
Mobile unit servicing areas
Day-care facilities that offer TCS foods
Type 5:
Temporary food establishments, including MFUs (not to exceed 14 days)
$75
Flea market vendors
Farm stands with TCS foods
Homestead
Lodging facilities with continental breakfast
Bed-and-breakfasts
Sellers of pre-packaged frozen meat or poultry
Vending machines
Theater concessions
Type 6:
Nonprofit organizations not holding a liquor license
Waived; application submittal required
Public/parochial schools and institutions
Government facilities
Town co-sponsored events
Farmers' market vendors
Type 7:
Annual mobile food unit (packaged and/or non-TCS foods)
$145
Type 8:
Annual mobile food unit (TCS foods)
$215
Late renewal fee:
$20
NOTE: Licenses shall be subject to suspension if annual renewals become more than five days overdue.
(2) 
Mobile food units (MFUs). Any person desiring to operate a mobile food unit shall meet all applicable Town of Derry zoning regulations. The applicant shall also meet all Code Enforcement, Health, Fire and Life Safety Codes as adopted by the Town of Derry and the State of New Hampshire Fire Code SAF-C 6000.
[Added 1-14-2021]
(3) 
Temporary license.
[Added 1-14-2021]
(a) 
A temporary license means a food-service establishment which operates at a fixed location for a temporary period of time, not exceeding two weeks, whether or not there is a charge for food.
(b) 
Authorization of the site location is necessary prior to conducting business in the Town.
(c) 
A temporary food-service application shall be submitted to the Health Department at least 10 days before the day of the event. A copy of the operator's current food-service license and most recent food inspection report are needed.
(d) 
The operator shall provide a certificate of insurance indicating the Town of Derry as an additional insurance for events on Town property.
(e) 
Licenses shall be displayed in public view.
(f) 
The operator is subject to inspection at any time.
(4) 
Annual license.
[Added 1-14-2021]
(a) 
Operators shall submit change of use paperwork to the Planning Department.
(b) 
A copy of legal filings with the New Hampshire Secretary of State is needed.
(c) 
Site location is subject to a minor site plan determination.
(d) 
The operator shall submit to Town of Derry Health Department:
[1] 
Mobile food unit floor plan application;
[2] 
Mobile food-service license application.
(e) 
MFUs are not permitted to operate in noncommercial zones and shall remain mobile and transitory by design, which is defined as ". . . the unique characteristic of a MFU is that it is not situated in a fixed location with permanent water and sewage connections."
(f) 
The operator shall display licenses for public view.
(g) 
Businesses granted a license under this section consent to any applicable real estate taxes imposed by the Town Council pursuant to RSA Chapter 72 when property they occupy is determined to be taxable by its use. A copy of each yearly MFU license shall be provided to the Assessor.
(h) 
Fees are outlined in § 55-3.
(i) 
Alcohol shall not be permitted on-site (BYOB) during MFU operating hours.
(j) 
For MFUs selling exclusively prepackaged goods, please cross-reference Hawkers, Peddlers and Itinerant Vendors Ordinance.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 119, Hawkers, Peddlers and Itinerant Vendors.
B. 
Suspension of licenses. Licenses may be suspended temporarily by the Health Authority for failure of the holder to comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(1) 
Whenever a license holder or operator has failed to comply with any notice under the provisions of this chapter, the license holder or operator shall be notified, in writing, that the license is, upon service of the notice, immediately suspended and will be granted a hearing before the Board of Health, provided that the licensee requests a hearing, in writing, within 10 days of the service of the notice.
(2) 
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, whenever the Health Authority finds unsanitary or other conditions in the operations of a food service establishment which, in his judgment, constitute a substantial hazard to the public health, he may issue a written notice to the license holder or operator citing such condition, the corrective action to be taken, and specifying the time period within which such actions shall be taken. If it is deemed necessary, the Health Authority may issue a written order that includes specific findings that the public health, safety or welfare requires the immediate suspension of a license. The license is then immediately suspended, and all food service operations shall be immediately discontinued. Any person to whom such an order is issued shall comply immediately therewith, and unless the person waives his or her right to hearing by written notice to the Health Authority, the Board of Health shall commence a hearing on the suspension as soon as possible but no later than 10 days from the date of the suspension. A record of the proceeding shall be made by either a certified shorthand court reporter or another method may be used to ensure an adequate record for appeal. The record will be the responsibility of the Board of Health. Unless expressly waived by the licensee, failure to commence an adjudicative proceeding within 10 working days shall mean that the suspension order is automatically vacated. The Board of Health shall not again suspend the license for the same conduct which formed the basis of the vacated suspension without granting the licensee prior notice and an opportunity for an adjudicative proceeding.
C. 
In the case of a temporary food service establishment, the violations must be corrected within a specified period of time, not to exceed 24 hours. Failure to comply with such notice shall result in immediate suspension of the license.
D. 
Reinstatement of suspended licenses. Any person whose license has been suspended may, at any time, request a reinspection for the purpose of reinstatement of the license. Within five days following receipt of a written request, including a statement signed by the applicant that in his opinion the conditions causing the suspension of the license have been corrected, the Health Authority shall make a reinspection. If the applicant is complying with the requirements of this chapter, the license shall be reinstated.
E. 
Revocation of licenses. For serious or repeated violations of any of the requirements of this chapter, or for interference with the Health Authority in the performance of his duties, the license may be permanently revoked after an opportunity for a hearing has been provided by the Board of Health. Prior to such action, the Health Authority shall notify the license holder, in writing, stating the reasons for which the license is subject to revocation and advising that the license shall be permanently revoked at the end of 10 days following service of such notice, unless a request for a hearing is filed with the Board of Health, by the license holder, within such ten-day period. Failure to file within this time limit shall be a waiver of the license holder's right to a hearing before the Board of Health. A license may be suspended for cause pending its revocation or a hearing relative thereto.
F. 
Administrative fines. A license holder may be levied an administrative fine as per He-P 2306.02. Prior to imposing any fines, the Health Authority shall notify the license holder, in writing, stating the reasons for which the fine is being levied and advising the license holder that a request for a hearing may be filed with the Board of Health, by the license holder, within 10 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to file within this time limit shall be a waiver of the license holder's right to a hearing before the Board of Health.
[Added 6-17-2014, effective 7-17-2014[2]]
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated former Subsection F as Subsection G.
G. 
Hearing. The hearings provided for in this section shall be conducted by the Board of Health at a time and place designated by it. Based upon the record of such hearing, the Board of Health shall make a finding and shall sustain, modify, or rescind any official notice or order considered in the hearing. A written report of the hearing decision shall be furnished to the license holder by the Board of Health.
(NOTE: This section has been removed. State statute now supersedes this section - RSA 466, Dogs and Cats; Section 466:44.)
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 55-4, Variance requirements for dog-friendly outdoor dining, was repealed 9-15-2023.
At least once every six months, the Derry Health Authority shall inspect each food service establishment located in the Town of Derry in accordance with He-P2305.
Nothing herein shall prevent the Health Authority from seeking injunctive relief in the Superior Court or deprive it of any other remedy available under the law.
Should any provision of this chapter be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole, or any part thereof, other than the part so declared to be invalid.