Food Safety & Consumer Protection
| Housing & Institutions
Recreational Health
| Drinking Water Program | Land
Use | Solid Waste | Liquid
Waste
Homeowners
| Household Hazardous Waste
| Medical Waste | CUPA | Lead
Underground Storage Tanks | Hazardous
Materials Business Plans
Hazardous Waste Generators
| Groundwater & Soil Clean-Up
Public Health & Safety | Mosquito Abatement & Vector Control
Recreational Health Program | Environmental Health Fees
Environmental Health consists of
those organized activities undertaken to protect and
enhance the public's health through the control of potentially
harmful materials, organisms, energies and conditions
in the environment. The term "health" is used
in its broadest context to mean not just the absence
of disease, but rather a complete state of physical,
mental and social well-being.
The Staff of the Madera County Environmental Health Department
are committed to preserving the public's health and the
environment.
The purpose of an Environmental Health program is to protect
the health, safety and well-being of the public and to preserve
and improve the quality of the environment:
The Food Safety and Consumer Protection Program consists
of the following elements:
- Retail Food Facilities and Operations
- Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement
- Truth in Labeling, Food borne Illness, etc.
- Food Facility Plan Check and Construction
- Food Safety Education
- State Department of Health Services, Food
and Drug Branch
- California Uniform Retail Food Facilities Law of the
Health and Safety Code. The purpose of this program is
to assure that food provided for human consumption is
wholesome, properly labeled, advertised, and produced
under conditions and practices, which are safe, sanitary,
and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
California Retail Food Code (Cal Code).
- California Retail Food Code (Cal Code) has completely replaced the state’s current food law (CURFFL) on July 1, 2007.
I WOULD LIKE TO SELL OR GIVE AWAY FOOD/DRINKS...... DO I NEED A HEALTH PERMIT?
If you have any questions, please contact us at (559) 675-7823.
"FOOD FACILITY"
This category includes, but is not limited to:
Restaurants, bars, bed & breakfasts, wineries, markets, and liquor stores.
Food Safety Certification Required if unpackaged food is sold or given away.
ANNUAL PERMIT REQUIRED |
"MOBILE FOOD FACILITY"
This category includes, but is not limited to:
Lunch wagon, hot dog cart, ice cream vehicles, push carts
Must operate out of an approved commissary
Food Safety Certification Required
ANNUAL PERMIT REQUIRED |
"COMMUNITY EVENTS "
This category includes but not limited to:
Food booth, concession trailer, farmer’s market & swap meets.
Temporary Food Facilities can only operate at Community Events
EVENT PERMIT REQUIRED |
If you will be building or remodeling a food facility or Mobile Food Facility, then we will need to review and approve construction plans before you begin construction. Please see Plan Review Construction Guidelines for fixed facilities or for Mobile Food Plan Review for vehicles.
FOOD FACILITIES APPLICATIONS & GUIDELINES
Applies to all restaurants, bars, bed & breakfasts, wineries, markets & liquor stores.
| Applications: |
Format: |
| Health Permit Application |
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Change of Ownership Health Permit Application |
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Plan Review Application |
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Remodel Plan Review Application |
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| Guidelines: |
Format: |
How Do I Start a Food Business? |
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Catering Guidelines |
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Certified Farmers’ Market Guidelines |
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Bake Sale Guidelines |
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Smoking in Restaurants |
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Service Animals in Food Facilities |
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Barbecue Guidelines |
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Food Safety Certificate Providers |
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Restrooms for Customers in Food Facilities |
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Do I Need a Grease Interceptor? |
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Do I Need a Ventilation Hood? |
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Water Heater Calculations |
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Plan Review Construction Guidelines |
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Notice of Recent Facility Inspection |
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Sample Madera County Inspection Report |
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MOBILE
FOOD FACILITY APPLICATIONS & GUIDELINES
Applies to all lunch wagons, hot dog carts, produce vehicles, ice cream vehicles & push carts.
| Applications: |
Format: |
| Health Permit Application |
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Change of Ownership Health Permit Application |
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Mobile Food Facility Commissary Application |
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Mobile Food Facility Restroom Authorization Application |
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| Guidelines: |
Format: |
Mobile Food Facility-Preparation Guidelines |
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Mobile Food Facility-Prepackaged Guidelines |
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Ice Cream Truck Guidelines |
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Push Cart Guidelines |
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Mobile Food Facility Plan Review Guidelines |
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Mobile Food Facility Unenclosed Operational Procedures |
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Food Safety Certificate Providers |
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Notice of Recent Facility Inspection |
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Sample Madera County Inspection Report Form |
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Mobile Food Facility Cal Code Checklist |
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COMMUNITY EVENTS: APPLICATIONS & GUIDELINES
Applies to all Food Booths, Concession Trailers, Farmers’ Markets, & Swap Meets
Application & Guidelines for Organizer/Sponsor: |
Format: |
Community Event: Organizer/Sponsor Application |
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Community Event: Guidelines for Organizer/Sponsor |
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| Farmers' Market/Swap Meet Application |
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Application & Guidelines for Concessionaires: |
Format: |
Community Event: Concessionaire Application |
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Community Event: Concessionaire Guidelines |
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LINKS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
The Housing and Institutions Program consists of the
following elements:
- Substandard Housing
- Motels/Hotels
- Jail/Detention Facilities
- Organized Camps
This program is established to gain compliance with the
requirements for sanitation, maintenance, ventilation, use
and occupancy for these facilities, which are inspected
under provisions of California State laws in order to ensure
safe and healthful shelter for all residents and visitors.
The Recreational Health Program consists of these elements:
- Fresh Water Recreational Areas
- Public Swimming Pools/Spas
- Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement
- Public Pool Plan Check and Construction
The purpose of this program is to assure that all public
recreational waters, public swimming pools, and spas are
free of safety hazards, disease and life threatening occurrences.
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- Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement
- Private Well Construction/Destruction Permitting
- Cross-Connection Control Program
This program seeks to assure that public and private water supplies are suitable for domestic uses. Small public water systems are routinely inspected to assure proper operation and maintenance.
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The California Department of Health Services has delegated our division as the Local Primacy Agency for enforcement of the state drinking water requirements with respect to small public water systems. We also serve as a resource of information for owners of private domestic wells. The general objective of this program is to assure that domestic water supplies are safe, potable and available in adequate quantity and at sufficient pressure. There are over 200 small water systems in the County of Madera. These water systems include housing developments, apartments, mobile home parks, schools, businesses, camps, restaurants and mini marts. The Madera County Environmental Health Department job is to make sure that all small water systems in the County deliver safe water to their consumers. We do this by issuing permits, conducting inspections and tracking water samples to make sure the water is free of certain bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that could cause illness. Also, we make sure that the water is free of certain chemicals that could also cause illness. Public awareness is also important and we require small water systems to report on their water quality. When there is a problem with water quality, consumers are notified and the small water systems must treat the water to make sure that it is safe to drink.
Ground Water and Private Water Wells
Frequently, private water wells tapping ground water resources can provide the highest quality water available to homeowners and businesses. Improperly constructed, altered, maintained or destroyed wells are a potential pathway for introducing poor quality water, pollutants and contamination to good-quality ground water. A permit is required from this department to drill wells and must be constructed by licensed C-57 well drillers. Our department ensures that all construction and installation of ground water wells are in compliance with Madera County Code. |
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| We are including a link to the popular On Tap magazine. On Tap magazine is written for community leaders, water industry professionals, and others interested in small community drinking water treatment issues. On Tap informs people about: technical, financial, operations and maintenance, management, source water protection, and health issues relevant to small drinking water systems sponsored by the EPA and the USDA RD. |
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The Land Use Program protects and promotes the health and
well-being of the public through the application of environmental
safeguards that are included in Environmental Health Programs,
State and Federal regulations. It seeks to prevent public
health hazards and mitigate environmental degradation that
may result from improperly planned land developments.
The purpose of the Solid Waste Program is to protect
the health, safety and well-being of the public and to
preserve and improve the quality of the environment by
assuring proper storage and disposal of solid waste. Link
to the California Integrated Waste Management Board: http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov
. For information on the Landfill or Transfer Station
operations, please call Madera Disposal at (559) 673-2225.
- Inspections, Permitting and Enforcement
- Solid Waste Facilities
- Fairmead Landfill, 21739 Road 19, Chowchilla, CA (559)
673-2225
- Mammoth Material Recovery Facility, 21739 Road 19, Chowchilla,
CA (559) 673-2225
- North Fork Transfer Station, Road 274, North Fork, CA
(559) 877-4226 or (559) 673-2225
- Emadco Disposal Service, Oakhurst, CA (559) 683-4680
Got Sharps?
As you know, household generated sharps cannot go in the trash, so what resources are available to the public generating sharps? The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) has materials on-line to help. Please feel free to inform your local government colleagues and facility operators of these following educational opportunities:
Another great way to stay informed about the latest developments in CIWMB’s efforts to promote safe disposal of sharps waste is to join the Sharps and Pharmaceuticals Listserv.
For questions or additional materials, please contact James Cropper.
The purpose of the Liquid Waste Program is to protect
the health of the public and environment from the improper
disposal of sewage and greywater systems; to educate the
public on the proper operation and maintenance of sewage
systems and to regulate septage haulers to assure proper
disposal of septage. Link to California On-Site Waste
Water Association: http://cowa.org/
- On-Site Systems
- Permitting, Inspections, Enforcement
- Links to helpful websites
Did you know about 25 percent of the U.S. population relies on decentralized-or onsite-wastewater treatment systems? About 95 percent of the onsite wastewater disposal systems are septic systems. Proper maintenance of your septic system helps to avoid potential system problems.
If you have a technical question call toll free at (800) 624-8301 or e-mail info@mail.nesc.wvu.edu and ask for technical assistance.
Whether you're building a new house or buying an old one, maintaining your onsite drinking water and wastewater systems is a task that should not be neglected. Much like an automobile, regular maintenance and inspections are vital to keep your systems running properly and safely. We are including a link to the Pipeline Newsletter a popular newsletter with small community officials, citizens, maintenance and inspection personnel, and community educators, each quarterly issue of pipline focuses on a single wastewater topic and presents it in an easy-to-read format.
The purpose of the Household Hazardous Waste Program is
to ensure proper storage and disposal of paint, used oil,
batteries and other household hazardous waste through permanent/temporary
collection facilities or satellite collection facilities.
Contact the Madera County Engineering Department or Environmental
Health for additional information on upcoming events.
The Madera County Household Hazardous Waste Facility is Now Open. Click here for more information.
The purpose of this program is to protect the health of
the public, health care facility personnel, and landfill
personnel from exposure to medical wastes containing potentially
communicable pathogenic organisms. This is accomplished
by regulation of medical waste generators through inspection,
complaint investigation, emergency response, enforcement,
public education and assistance to industry.
California Department of Health Services Medical Waste
Management Program: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/medicalwaste/
Medical Waste Management Act – California Health
and Safety Code Sections 117600-118360: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/medicalwaste/LawRegs/MWM_Act.pdf
The program consists of:
- Permitting, Inspection and Enforcement
| Medical Waste Forms: |
Format: |
| Medical Waste Generation
and Treatment Application |
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| Medical Waste Pre-Application
Questionnaire |
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| Limited Quantity Hauling
Exemption |
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The Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) works to ensure
that all businesses in Madera County handle store and dispose
of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes in compliance
with applicable laws and regulations in order to protect
the health and environment of the citizens of Madera County.
California Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/CUPA/.
The program consists of:
The Environmental Health Department works in cooperation with the Public Health Department’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Once a child is determined to be a lead poisoning case, both a Public Health Nurse (PHN) from the Public Health Department and a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Certified Lead Inspector/Assessor (I/A) from the Environmental Health Department, visit the child’s home. The PHN counsels the family on the medical, developmental, and nutritional aspects of lead poisoning while the Inspector/Assessor inspects the home for lead paint hazards. They work together to determine the probable cause of lead poisoning. The PHN continues to track the child’s blood lead levels while the I/A works with the homeowner or landlord to remediate lead hazards.
Environmental Lead Hazards
- Housing built prior to 1978 is presumed to have lead-based paint. Chipped or peeling paint often from doors and windows may be ingested by children.
- Lead in soil. Lead may be in soil where children play. It may have been deposited near roadways when leaded gas was used or where leaded paint has chipped from a house
- Lead contaminated dust from paint or soil may cling to household surfaces and be transferred to children’s hands or other objects that they may put in their mouths.
- Take home exposure – adults may bring home lead on clothing as a result of work with radiator repair, demolition, soldering, scrap metal recycling, or hobbies such as stained glass, or fishing with lead weights.
For more information about the State Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLPPB/Pages/default.aspx
Frequently asked questions about lead poisoning:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLPPB/Pages/FAQ-CLPPB.aspx
To speak to someone regarding symptoms or effects of lead poisoning, contact Madera County Public Health Department at (559) 675-7893. For questions regarding lead hazards in housing contact Madera County Environmental Health Department at (559) 675-7823.
The purpose of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program
is to ensure that underground storage tanks containing hazardous
materials are operated in such a manner that protects public
health and groundwater. The CUPA issues permits for the
operation of underground storage tanks and oversees the
installation, operation and removal.
State Water Resources Control Board; Underground Storage
Tank Program: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/ust/.
The program consists of:
- Permitting, Inspection and Enforcement
- Installation, Removal, and Modification
- Monitoring and Testing
| UST Form Titles: |
Format: |
| Madera County UST Permit
Application |
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| Facility Permitting (Form A) |
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| Tank Permitting (Form B) |
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| Cert of Compliance (Form C) |
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| Monitoring Plan (Form D) |
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| Response Plan (Form E) |
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| Business Activities Declaration |
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| Business Owner/Operator Identification |
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| Financial Responsibility Form |
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| Letter Chief Financial Officer |
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| Owner
Statements of Designated UST Operator and Understanding
of and Compliance with UST Requirements |
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| UST Monitoring Site Map Example |
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The hazardous materials business program ensures
that accurate information is available so that communities
may be informed regarding the hazardous materials that are
handled and/or stored at a business. Each business that
handles 55 gallons or more of a liquid, 500 pounds or more
of a solid, or 200 cubic feet or more of a compressed gas,
or any quantity of an Acutely Hazardous Material (AHM) must
establish a business plan for emergency response to a release
or threatened release of a hazardous material. The CUPA
provides this information to emergency rescue personnel.
This program consists of:
- Permitting, Inspection and Enforcement
- Madera County Hazardous Materials Response Plan
Governors Office of Emergency Services, Business Plan Program
Homepage: http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/Content/4D1BF55BB0BDBE4888256C2C0076E65F?OpenDocument
Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) Forms & Instructions
The hazardous waste generator program seeks
to ensure that all businesses that generate any quantity
of hazardous waste comply with regulations regarding handling,
labeling, accumulation, and disposal of waste in order to
protect the public and the environment.
California Department of Toxic Substances
Control: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/.
This program consists of:
- Permitting
- Inspection
- Enforcement
| Generator Forms: |
Format: |
| Business Activities Declaration |
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| Business Owner/Operator
Identification |
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The purpose of this program is to oversee the remediation
of contaminated sites resulting from leaking underground
storage tank systems and improper storage or disposal
of hazardous materials. Link to State Agency: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov.
The National
Sanitation Foundation. The Public Health and Safety
Company™, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization,
is the world leader in standards development, product
certification, education, and risk-management for public
health and safety.
900 North Gateway Drive
Madera, CA 93637
Phone: (559) 674-6729 or 674-6720
FAX: (559) 674-6004
Email
http://maderamosq.org
The Recreational Health Program consists of
these elements:
- Fresh Water Recreational Areas
- Public Swimming Pools/Spas
- Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement
- Public Pool Plan Check and Construction
The purpose of this program is to assure that all public
recreational waters, public swimming pools, and spas are
free of safety hazards, disease and life threatening occurrences.
California Department of Health Services;
Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management;
California Beaches-Regulations and Guidance. See Guidance
for Freshwater Beaches.
Contacting
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Madera
County Department of Environmental Health
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