Just wondering, we had a HD inspection last week at my commissary and I passed with flying colors - except they let me know that I now have to obtain a Caterer's Permit thru my county (San Francisco). I called the HD this morning and spoke to a supervisor, it makes no sense to me why I need this permit since I'm not a caterer, I don't cook food on site, I don't do anything of the stuff on this form. I was given the reason that the State 2 years ago mandated the counties change their policies for commercial kitchen renters that instead of the renters working under the permit of the facility, they need to create a new lesser permit for each renter.

Stuff that sucks:
I need to get the manager's safeserv now (instead of the cheepie food handler's permit)
I have to pay an application fee
I have to pay a yearly permit fee

So I was wondering if other people that rent commercial kitchen space in California have already been required to have some sort of caterer's permit (other then the standard business license)? Maybe we have been slow to have this requirement. I'm irritated because they gave me a whole 2 weeks to get a laundry list of stuff together for this permit, but I'll do whatever I need to do.

Another question, I was hoping to just do the online manager's safeserv but it looks like its just a class - not a test. Am I reading this correct that I have to go somewhere *in person* to take this test?

Thanks

RE: Safeserv - I just called and got my answer. Bummer. Sigh.

In Santa Clara County we were always operating under our own permit (separate from the commercial kitchen's permit) classified as a caterer, I just checked the SCC DEH permit list and it looks like they recently amended the caterers permit to say "caterer/kitchen rental".

http://www.sccgov.org/sites/deh/Documents/DEHFeeSched.pdf

I work out of Alameda Co and have a caterer's permit ($250), it's way cheaper than reg bakery permit. Hopefully SF is similar. Santa Clara Co I believe is around $750, no discount for "caterer"

I got my food safety cert from Premier Food Safety. I took the class in the morning and they give you test in afternoon. Easy!

Good Luck.

OK I guess it's my HD that is just starting this. Thanks!