Requirements for Opening a New Food Establishment

Example Restaurant Plan

The SAFHER database is LIVE now! Create your account today on the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) website.  The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) changed databases for food and lodging licensing and inspections on October 20, 2026.

  1. The previous USA Food Safety system is longer available to use. 
  2. Visit the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing website at https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/food-establishments-hotels to create your new SAFHER account. This is where you will receive renewal invoices, messages, etc.
  • If you had an active USA Food Safety account, your account moved to SAFHER.
  • Utilize this step-by-step instruction guide.
  1. Login to the SAFHER database: https://safher-portal.dial.iowa.gov/safher-portal

Learn more here: https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/food-establishments-hotels/food-resources/safher-transition-faq 

New Establishment Check Off List:

  • See Attachments

Requirements For Licensing

The appropriate application must be filled out and fee(s) paid prior to the opening inspection.   Departmental policy prohibits the inspector from accepting payment in the field.  License fee(s) are based on gross sales, or anticipated gross sales.

The applicant shall call the inspector at least 24 hours prior to the opening date to set up a time for the pre-opening inspection. No food preparation of any kind, including training, can be done without the approval of the Health Department.

  1. Provide a set of plans including a legend. The plans should include the location of the following items:
    • All equipment
      • Fryers, hood, stove, oven, working tables, hot/cold holding, shelving, buffet lines, waitress stations, etc
    • Restroom(s)
    • Sinks
      • Handwashing sinks
      • Prep sinks
      • 3-compartment sink
      • Mop sink
      • Dipper wells
    • Warewashing (only one required)
      • Three-compartment sink with at least one drain board. The sinks shall be adequately sized to accommodate your largest piece of equipment.
      • Dish machine that sanitizes by heat or chemical.
      • If you utilize a dish machine a separate food prep sink will be required.
  2. All hand sinks shall be accessible and conveniently located within the food handling and warewashing areas. Signs notifying employees to wash their hands must be clearly visible at all handwashing sinks, including restrooms.
  3. All surfaces: floors, walls, ceilings, preparation surfaces and equipment, shall be smooth, durable, easily cleanable, non-absorbent and in good repair. All wood and concrete surfaces shall be sealed.
  4. No bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food is allowed. A ready-to-eat food is defined as an edible food without further preparation. (raw fruits and vegetables, cooked food, bread, cake, lunch meat, etc.)
  5. Once the plans have been approved a copy of the plan approval form will be forwarded to the building department which has jurisdiction over the facility, and to the owner of the facility.
  6. The Scott County Health Department must approve any modifications made to the originally submitted plans.

Paperwork required to be onsite for inspection:

  1. Certified Food Protection Manager Certificate is required within 6 months of your opening inspection.
  2. FDA’s FORM 1-B Conditional Employee or Food Employee Reporting Agreement. The purpose of this agreement is to inform conditional employees or food employees of their responsibility to notify the person in charge when they experience any of the conditions listed so that the person in charge can take appropriate steps to preclude the transmission of foodborne illness.
  3. A written procedure for cleaning vomit and diarrhea, the Iowa Department of Inspection, Appeal, & Licensing's guidance document, ‘Full Facility Norovirus Cleaning – Reference Document for Food Establishments’ is attached.
  4. Any HACCP or variance plans approved by the Department of Inspections, Appeal, & Licensing.

     

IMPORTANT - License Applications: No applications or renewals will be accepted until the SAFHER system launch on Oct. 20, 2026.

Attachments: