No person shall operate a food establishment who does not have a valid permit to do so, issued to him by the health officer. Only a person who complies with the requirements of this article shall be entitled to receive or retain such a permit. Permits are not transferable. A valid permit shall be posted in every food establishment, except temporary food establishments. A valid permit sticker shall be displayed on every mobile food vending unit. Approved permits shall be required; however, no permit fee shall be assessed for any food establishment or operation funded by the city, operated under assistance from the state commission for the blind, or operated by a public school system.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-116)
(a) 
Any person desiring to operate a food establishment shall make written application for a permit on forms provided by the health officer. Such application shall include at least the name and address of each applicant, the location and type of the proposed food establishment or operation, and the signature of each applicant. It may include other information necessary to regulate the type of operation for which the permit is issued.
(b) 
Prior to approval of an application for a permit, the health officer shall inspect the proposed food establishment to determine compliance with the requirements of this article.
(c) 
The health officer shall issue a permit to the applicant if his inspection reveals that the proposed food operation complies with the requirements of this article.
(d) 
All permits issued under this article expire one year from date of issuance.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-117)
(a) 
An annual fee for a permit to operate a food service establishment shall be paid to the city upon application for a permit. This fee shall be in an amount established by the city council. No permit fee shall be charged for temporary food service establishments. Permit fees shall be refunded if no permit is issued.
(b) 
An annual fee for a permit to operate a retail food store shall be paid to the city upon application for a permit. This fee shall be in the amount established by the city council. No permit fee shall be charged for temporary food establishments. Permit fees shall be refunded if no permit is issued.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-118)
(a) 
The health officer may, without warning, notice, or hearing suspend any permit issued under this division if the holder of the permit does not comply with the requirements of this article, or if the food establishment or operation otherwise constitutes a substantial hazard to public health. Suspension is effective upon service of the notice. When a permit is suspended, food operations shall immediately cease. Whenever a permit is suspended, the holder of the permit shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing within ten days of receipt of the health officer of a written request for a hearing.
(b) 
Whenever a permit is suspended, the holder of the permit, or the person in charge, shall be notified in writing that the permit is, upon service of the notice, immediately suspended and that an opportunity for a hearing will be provided if a written request for a hearing is filed with the health officer by the holder of the permit within ten days. If no written request for hearing is filed within ten days, the suspension is sustained. The health officer may end the suspension at any time if reasons for suspension no longer exist.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-119)
The health officer may, after providing opportunity for a hearing, revoke or deny a permit issued under this division for serious or repeated violations of any of the requirements of this article or for interference with the health officer in the performance of his duties. Prior to revocation, the health officer shall notify the holder of the permit or the person in charge, in writing, of the reasons for which the permit is subject to revocation or denial and that the permit shall be revoked or denied at the end of a specified time period following service of such notice unless a written request for a hearing is filed with the health officer by the holder of the permit within ten days. If no request for hearing is filed within the ten-day period, the revocation or denial of the permit becomes final upon expiration of the time specified in the notice of pending revocation or denial. Whenever a revocation or denial of a permit has become final, the holder of the revoked or denied permit may make written application for a new permit.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-120)