# Division 2. Food Service Facilities

Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.

## Division 2. Food Service Facilities

### Subdivision 1. State Regulations Adopted

#### Sec. 12-102. State regulations governing food service facilities adopted by reference

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-102 (2026)

The Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Regulations Governing Food Service Facilities as set out in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR 10.15.03), and as they may be amended from time to time, are hereby adopted by reference as the County regulations governing food service facilities and made a part of this Subtitle, with the additions, insertions and changes prescribed in this Division. The Clerk of the Council shall at all time maintain and keep current three (3) sets of such State regulations for public inspection.

### Subdivision 2. County Additions, Insertions, and Changes to the State Regulations

#### Sec. 12-103. Additions, insertions and changes to the State regulations

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-103 (2026)

The following additions, insertions and changes are hereby made to the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Regulations Governing Food Service Facilities adopted by reference herein as the County regulations governing food service facilities.

#### Sec. 12-104. Definitions

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-104 (2026)

(a) In addition to the definition of terms contained in the State regulations adopted by reference in this Division, the following definitions and terminology shall apply and are applicable to such provisions adopted by reference:

  (1) Approving authority shall mean the Prince George's County Health Officer.

  (2) Bulk lot frozen food shall mean frozen food intended to be thawed and repackaged for retail sale.

  (2.1) Catering Service shall mean the preparation or provision and the serving of food and drink at the provider's premises or elsewhere where a prearranged amount of food is provided with or without charge for a group's event or function; an individual is not charged for a single portion of food. The provider's premises must be a licensed commercial facility.

  (2.2) Certified food service manager shall mean a person in a supervisory capacity who has obtained training in food sanitation or has otherwise demonstrated knowledge of good food handling practices, and has obtained the certification document issued by the Department.

  (2.3) Chronic Offender shall mean any person who operates a food service facility or who manages a shopping center containing two (2) or more food service facilities, and who demonstrates a pattern of violating regulations, being evidenced by:

    (A) On two (2) or more occasions within a twelve (12) month period, suspension of the food service facility permit pursuant to Section 12-111 of this Subdivision; and/or

    (B) Notices of proven violations of regulations under this Division which do not result in a permit suspension, all rights of appeal having been exhausted; or

    (C) On two (2) or more occasions within a twelve (12) month period, the Health Officer requires a compliance hearing.

  (3) Department shall mean the Prince George's County Health Department.

  (4) Depot shall mean a food service facility permitted by the Department or other regulatory agency sanctioned by the approving authority which provides one or more of the following services to mobile special food service facilities on a routine basis: food, food preparation or storage, utensil wash facilities, potable water, or waste disposal facilities. Depot includes a food service facility that:

    (A) Will be annually inspected by the Department;

    (B) Will only allow licensed mobile vendors to operate at their Depot; and

    (C) Will provide an annual record of all mobile vendors using their Depot.

  (5) Food and drink shall mean all food and drink used for human consumption as defined in Title 21, Section 101(i), Health-General Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (6) Food cluster shall mean an enclosed assemblage of adjacent or adjoining food service facilities located within an integrated shopping center as defined in Section 27-107.01 of this Code, operating within a specifically designated area sharing customer dining areas.

  (7) Food Hall shall mean an establishment consisting of three or more individually-licensed businesses offering food and beverages for consumption on the premises, catering, take out, or delivery. Food uses shall comprise a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of the gross floor area of the use.

  (8) Food Hall Operator shall mean the person or entity in charge of the Food Hall who must obtain a Master Use and Occupancy Permit from the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement and obtain a High Priority Food Service License from the County Health Officer.

  (9) Food Hall Vendor shall mean the person or entity who operates within a designated Food Hall unit. The Food Hall vendor must maintain a low, moderate or high priority license or permit for their leased unit from the County Health Officer. A Food Hall vendor shall apply for a low, moderate or high priority food service license within 30 days of their occupancy. The County Health Officer may allow a food vendor who has applied for a low, moderate or high priority license to operate under the Food Hall operator's High Priority Food Service License for up to 90 days. The required 30 days wherein the Food Hall vendor must apply for the food service license shall run concurrently with the 90 days wherein the Food Hall vendor may operate under the Food Hall operator's High Priority Food Service License.

  (10) Food service facility shall mean any place in Prince George's County, except those establishments that are on non-leased federally owned property which are operated and inspected by the Federal Government in which food or drink products are manufactured, prepared, packed, handled, stored, sold, served, automatically vended, or distributed on a temporary or permanent basis for consumption by the general public and shall include special food service facilities and facilities which sell live and/or unprocessed seafood, but shall not be construed to mean individual, private residences where, without charge, food or drink products are prepared and consumed. Class B food service facilities are those which are open five (5) or less days per week, serve potentially hazardous food, and are operated by volunteer fire companies or bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, veterans, religious, or charitable organizations in compliance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) definitions and protocols.

  (11) Frozen food shall mean food or drink, except ice cream or related dairy products, preserved by being subject to temperatures not in excess of -10° F and subsequently transported or stored at temperatures not in excess of 0° F.

  (12) Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Assessment shall mean the prioritization of a food service facility as defined in COMAR 10.15.03.

  (13) Health Officer shall mean the Prince George's County Health Officer or the Health Officer's designee.

  (14) Immediate Control shall mean being physically present and capable of monitoring for food safety and apply corrective actions if necessary.

  (15) Level B food service manager shall mean the certified food service manager of a non-profit food service facility who receives the abbreviated food service manager certification training offered by the Health Department.

  (16) Mobile unit shall mean a special food service facility which is a mechanically, electrically, manually, or otherwise propelled vehicle that is relocated following each day's operation to an approved depot or other location acceptable to the approving authority.

  (17) Nonprofit shall mean a volunteer fire company or bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, veterans, religious, or charitable organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.

  (18) Operating from a fixed location for a temporary period shall mean operating a food service facility for not more than five (5) days at a fixed location for an event such as a carnival, circus, fair, or similar temporary event. The five (5) day period of time is subject to variance at the discretion of the Health Officer. However, operating a food service facility or a special food service facility intermittently at one (1) location and operating mobile units as a food service facility or special food service facility relocating at different sites shall not be construed as operating for a temporary period.

#### Sec. 12-105. Frozen food regulation

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-105 (2026)

(a) Any food service facility which retails or wholesales frozen food shall comply with the provisions of this Section:

  (1) Labeling of thawed frozen food.

    (A) Frozen foods which have been allowed to thaw on the premises must be labeled to include the statement "refreezing may impair quality."

    (B) Bulk lot frozen foods may be thawed for breakdown into retail packaging, but such items must be clearly labeled to indicate the following:

      (i) The item was previously frozen;

      (ii) The item was thawed for repackaging at approved temperature, and

      (iii) The date of thawing and repackaging.

    (C) Only food products or drinks which have never been frozen may be labeled "fresh."

    (D) It shall be unlawful to offer thawed frozen food for sale, however labeled, in the case where any part of the food has reached temperatures above 41 o F.

#### Sec. 12-105.01. Food clusters; refuse disposal

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-105.01 (2026)

In a food cluster, it shall be the responsibility of the shopping center management to satisfactorily maintain and provide an approved means to dispose of refuse, provide effective control measures for vermin, and to meet prescribed housekeeping requirements. The shopping center management can be designated a chronic offender as defined in Section 12-104 and subject to the fines set forth in Section 12-113 of this Division.

#### Sec. 12-106. Toilet facilities

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-106 (2026)

(a) Every food service facility shall be provided with adequate and conveniently located toilet facilities for its employees. Two (2) or more separate toilet rooms shall be provided whenever both males and females are employed or when Subsection (e) of this Section is applicable; provided, however, that one (1) toilet facility shall be adequate for both male and female employees and customers in establishments having five (5) or fewer employees on duty at any given time and, when applicable, seating is provided for ten (10) or fewer customers.

(b) The doors of all toilet rooms shall be self-closing. Toilet rooms shall be kept in clean condition, in good repair, and well-lighted and ventilated. Hand washing signs shall be posted in each toilet room used by employees and at all kitchen hand sink locations.

(c) Such toilet facilities shall comply with the regulations of the State and of the local Plumbing Code and shall be located within the permitted establishment except as otherwise noted in this Section. Toilet facilities located off the premises of a food service facility which has a gross floor area of five hundred (500) square feet or less shall be considered satisfactory, provided that such toilet facilities are not more than three hundred (300) feet away from the facility, and are accessible during all hours of operation. Seasonal and temporary special food service facilities shall have toilet facilities located within a reasonable distance and be accessible during all hours of operation.

(d) Toilet facilities for a food cluster as required in Subsection (a), above, shall be the responsibility of the management of the integrated shopping center and shall be considered satisfactory, provided that such facilities are conveniently located within the integrated shopping center and within a reasonable distance from any individual food service facility within said food cluster and are accessible during all hours of operations.

(e) A food service facility established after January 1, 1979, which provides seating for patrons, must provide adequate and approved toilet facilities for said patrons as specified by Section 21-325(b), Health-General Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended.

### Subdivision 3. Permits and Inspections

#### Sec. 12-107. Applicability of Division; exclusions

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-107 (2026)

(a) This Division shall not apply to facilities selling only prepackaged non-potentially hazardous food or drink.

(b) There shall be no exposed or unsecured outside storage of food and food equipment. Outdoor service venues such as patios, pool bars, bars, sidewalk operations and temporary events shall provide sufficient protection of all food, food equipment and food service items to prevent contamination at all times.

(c) Food Halls, Food Hall Operators and Food Hall Vendors are subject to all relevant requirements of State and County Law including appropriate permits and/or licenses, insurance, safety and sanitation; and violations are subject to Fines, Closure, License Suspension or Revocation.

#### Sec. 12-108. Food permits required

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-108 (2026)

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a food service facility without a valid permit issued by the Health Officer, provided that this permit requirement shall not apply to:

  (1) Vending machine locations, licensed pursuant to Sections 12-162 through 12-167 of this Subtitle, or operated solely for the sale of canned or bottled beverages, or any commercially packaged food or drink which is not perishable, or to machines commonly known as gumball machines.

  (2) A fruit or vegetable stand where fresh, whole or uncut produce is handled, displayed, and sold.

  (3) Warehouses and food processing plants as defined in the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Regulations Governing Food and Drink Processing and Transportation as set out in COMAR 10.15.04.

  (4) Warehouses and food processing plants that are federally regulated.

(b) Any person desiring to operate a food service facility shall make written application to the Health Officer for a permit to operate the facility.

(c) Application for a food service facility permit shall be on a form approved by the Health Officer and shall, in the case of new facilities or facilities materially altered, be accompanied by plans and specifications for the proposed facility.

#### Sec. 12-109. Permit issuance; denial

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-109 (2026)

(a) When, upon review of the application form and following a complete inspection of the food service facility, the Health Officer is satisfied that the facility complies with the provisions of this Division, the appropriate requirements of the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, and State and County health laws, a permit to operate shall be issued.

(b) If the facility does not meet the foregoing requirements, the Health Office shall deny a permit to operate a food service facility. Final denial shall be in writing.

#### Sec. 12-110. Posting permit; term; renewal; fees

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-110 (2026)

(a) The permit issued by the Health Officer shall be prominently posted in public view within the food service facility.

(b) Permits shall be issued for a period not in excess of one (1) year, expiring on the date designated by the Health Officer. In order to achieve a systematic schedule of renewals, the Health Officer may issue a permit for a fraction of a year. Except for special food service facilities, seasonal operations, and delinquent permit renewals, fees for permits issued for a fraction of a year shall be prorated on a quarterly basis.

(c) Nonprofit organizations operating for a temporary period food and drink concessions which are staffed solely by members of the organization shall not be required to pay the fees prescribed in this Section. Further, food service facilities operated by the Prince George's County Board of Education, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland established by Chapter 566, Acts of 1908, or the Capital Area Community Food Bank and its recipient organizations in Prince George's County, Maryland, shall not be required to pay the fees prescribed in this Section. The Capital Area Community Food Bank will provide a list of recipient organizations to the Prince George's County Health Department on the first day of each year and amend that list as new recipient organizations are added. A duplicate permit will be issued, on request, at a charge as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A and as published on the DPIE website.

(d) At the time of submitting plans to the Health Department for a new or remodeled food service facility, fees as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A and as published on the DPIE website shall be paid. A fee as prescribed in the Table of Fees shall be paid for each resubmittal of plans after the first resubmittal. An additional fee shall be paid as prescribed in the Table of Fees for each re-inspection after the first re-inspection required prior to approval to operate. A fee shall be paid as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A and as published on the DPIE website for prospective inspections, consultations, and equipment evaluations. Prior to the sale of any permitted facility, the permit holder, or a potential buyer or party in interest in conjunction with the permit holder, may request that the Health Department conduct a change of ownership inspection to determine the facility's status regarding all applicable Health Department requirements. The change of ownership inspection fee shall be as prescribed in the Table of Fees.

(e) Any holder of a permit issued pursuant to this Section who is required to pay a fee for said permit and who fails to submit to the Health Officer an application for renewal of the permit, together with the required fee, no later than five (5) days following the expiration date of the existing permit, shall be assessed an additional fee as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A and as published on the DPIE website, per day for each day following the expiration date of the existing permit.

(f) Food service facilities operated by churches, church societies, and other bona fide nonprofit organizations shall not be required to pay the late fee for renewal of a permit as required in Subsection (e).

(g) Food service facilities and special food service facilities operated by bona fide volunteer fire companies shall not be required to pay the fees described in Subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this Section.

#### Sec. 12-111. Closure; suspension of permit; fines

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-111 (2026)

(a) In cases where there is a serious violation of the regulations adopted herein, the requirements of the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, or the State and County health laws which, in the sound discretion of the Health Officer, creates a serious and immediate danger to the public health, the Health Officer may issue a written order closing the facility subject to a hearing held, at the request of the operator at the time of closure, and a decision thereupon within 72 hours after issuance of the order. It shall be unlawful for such establishments to remain open after being ordered closed unless within the 72-hour period the Health Officer either rescinds the order or fails to hold the requested hearing and render a decision.

(b) Any person whose permit has been suspended and/or whenever an establishment has been ordered to close pursuant to the regulations adopted herein, the owner or operator may at any time thereafter apply in writing for reinstatement of the permit or to reopen the facility. Upon receipt of such application, the Health Officer shall have an inspection of the premises made; and, if the food service facility is found to be in compliance with the requirements of this Division, the appropriate requirements of the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the health laws of the State and County, the Health Officer shall reinstate the permit or reopen the facility. A fee as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A and as published on the DPIE website, shall be paid for each such inspection performed during regular working hours, and a fee as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A and as published on the DPIE website, shall be paid for inspections performed during nonworking hours.

(c) Whenever a food service facility opens or remains open for business without a valid permit, or after being ordered to close in accordance with the provisions of Subsection (a), above, or while a valid permit has been suspended, any owner or operator of such food service facility shall be punished by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) a day. Each day such food service facility remains open for business shall constitute a separate offense pursuant to this Subsection.

(d) Special food service facilities, including those which sell or offer for sale live and/or unprocessed seafood, may be subject to a written order of closure for violations of Subtitle 5, Division 12, of this Code. The Health Officer or the Director of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement, or their designees, may issue a citation to any special food service facility, including those selling or offering for sale, live or unprocessed seafood which operates in violation of this Subsection and/or Section 12-108 of this Code. The citation shall serve as notification to the person that he has committed a civil violation and must pay a monetary fine in accordance with Section 12-111, subject to his right to elect to stand trial pursuant to Section 28-257 of this Code. The Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement may also take an enforcement action against the holder of the Master Use and Occupancy Permit or any vendor conducting business under the Master Use and Occupancy Permit pursuant to Section 4-116 of this Code.

(e) If a Food Hall's Master Use and Occupancy Permit is suspended or revoked, all food service operations on the premises must cease pending resolution of the permit suspension or revocation.

(f) The Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement shall promptly notify the Health Department of any and all Food Hall Master Use and Occupancy Permit suspensions or revocations.

#### Sec. 12-111.01. Hearings

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-111.01 (2026)

A fee of as prescribed in the Table of Fees, section 2-253.63, Attachment A and as published on the DPIE website, shall be charged for administrative/enforcement hearings held pursuant to this Division. The permit holder will not be obligated to pay the fee for the scheduled hearing if:

(1) A request to cancel or reschedule is received at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the scheduled hearing, or;

(2) The hearing is required by this Department.

#### Sec. 12-112. Inspections; access

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-112 (2026)

(a) The Health Officer shall make inspections of food service facilities to determine compliance with this Division, the appropriate requirements of the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the health laws of the State and County.

(b) The Health Officer shall be permitted access to all parts of food service facilities during regular business hours and shall be permitted to inspect all records of food purchased to determine its source.

(c) Mobile food service facilities shall be available for an annual inspection at the time and place designated by the Health Officer prior to licensure or re-licensure.

#### Sec. 12-113. Chronic offenders; Fines

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-113 (2026)

A chronic offender of the provisions of this Code shall be subject to a civil fine not to exceed One Thousand Hundred Dollars ($1,000.00) for each separate offense.

#### Sec. 12-114. Food Service Manager Requirements

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-114 (2026)

(a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), no food service facility shall operate unless a minimum of one employee has a valid food service manager certificate or is enrolled in an approved course that will train the employee to be a certified food service manager.

(b) Except as provided for in Subsection (c), no food service facility shall operate unless it is under the immediate control of a certified food service manager during all hours of operation.

(c) No food service facility operated more than an average of five (5) days per week by a volunteer fire company or bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, veterans', religious, or charitable organization shall operate unless it has a certified food service manager on staff or a staff person or member is enrolled in an approved course that will train that person to be a certified food service manager. No food service facility operated more than an average of five (5) days per week by a volunteer fire company or bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, veterans', religious, or charitable organization shall operate unless it is under the immediate control of a certified food service manager.

(d) No Class B food service facility shall operate unless a certified food service manager is on staff or in the membership of the organization or a Level B food service manager is on site during all hours of operation.

(e) The approving authority may postpone or waive the requirement of Subsections (b), (c), and (d), above, if, in unusual circumstances, its application to a particular licensee would result in undue hardship.

(f) The approving authority may reduce the number of hours of training required for a Level B food service manager.

(g) The food service manager certificates shall be issued by the Department.

(h) A food service facility permit shall not be issued by the Health Officer until the facility meets the food service manager requirements stated above unless in unusual circumstances, its application would result in an undue hardship.

(i) This Section shall not apply to the following:

  (1) Low priority food service facilities.

  (2) "Pot luck" style dinners sponsored by a volunteer fire company or bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, veterans', religious, or charitable organization;

  (3) Food prepared for the homeless by a volunteer fire company or bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, veterans', religious, or charitable organization;

  (4) Volunteer fire companies or bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, veterans', religious, or charitable organizations or corporations which sponsor two (2) or less events per year where food is prepared and served;

  (5) Volunteer fire companies or bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, veterans', religious, or charitable organizations or corporations which lease banquet facilities if the food is not prepared by them; and

  (6) Food preparation by volunteer fire companies or bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, veterans', religious, or charitable organizations or corporations during emergency/crisis situations.

(j) Notwithstanding paragraphs 2 through 5, the approving authority may require appropriate staffing by a food service manager if, during the preceding twelve months, there have been incidents of foodborne illnesses at the facility.

#### Sec. 12-114.01. Food Service Manager Certification

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-114.01 (2026)

(a) Application for a Food Service Manager Certificate must be made to the Department by submitting the following:

  (1) A completed application with a fee prescribed in the Table of Fees; and

  (2) Original written evidence of successful completion, within three (3) years of the date of the application, of a food service manager certification course approved by the Conference for Food Protection (CFP); or

  (3) An original transcript or official grade notification form from a college or other institution or organization offering a CFP approved course or test; or

  (4) Other documentation acceptable to the Department showing successful completion of a CFP approved course or test; or

  (5) A valid food service manager certificate from a local jurisdiction with a reciprocal agreement on certification with the Department.

(b) A person required to obtain a food service manager certification for a food service facility operated by the Board of Education of Prince George's County, by a volunteer fire company or rescue squad, or a bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, veterans', religious, or charitable organization or corporation shall be exempt from the fee provision of this Section.

(c) A food service manager certificate shall be issued in the name of an individual only and shall be valid for the period of the certification.

(d) Renewal certificates will be issued upon receipt of the following:

  (1) A complete application along with the fee as prescribed in the Table of fees; and

  (2) An original certificate of successful completion of a food service manager recertification test approved by the Conference for Food Protection (CFP); or

  (3) Proof of having provided a minimum of three (3) training courses, approved by the Department, to staff of the facility or facilities where employed during the previous certification period; or

  (4) Proof of having conducted a monthly self-inspection program approved by the Department during the previous certification period; or

  (5) Evidence of having successfully passed a challenge examination acceptable to the approving authority.

(e) Application for renewal must be made no later than six (6) months following the expiration of the CFSM card. If more than six (6) months have elapsed, renewal is not possible and the applicant will have to repeat the entire certification process.

(f) The expiration date will be exactly three (3) years from the expiration date of the old card.

(g) The fee for the replacement of a food service manager certificate is prescribed in the Table of Fees.

(h) A food service facility, upon written notice by the Department, will be subject to a fine of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) on each occasion that said facility fails to provide proof that it is under the immediate control of a certified food service manager during all hours when food is being prepared, handled, or served, except as provided in Subsection (e), above, or that a supervisory employee is currently enrolled in an approved course. Proof of enrollment in an approved course must be submitted to the Department within two (2) weeks of written notification to the facility. Upon revocation of a food service manager certification, a food service facility shall be required to obtain the services of a certified food service manager or shall have enrolled alternate supervisory personnel in an approved training program within two (2) weeks of notification to the facility, or shall be subject to the penalties specified in this Section. Application for certification must be made within one week of satisfactory completion of the course.

#### Sec. 12-114.02. Food Service Manager Certification; Suspension/Revocation

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-114.02 (2026)

(a) Any certification may be suspended or revoked by the Department when the certified food service manager or a person under the certified food service manager's supervision repeatedly fails to comply with these regulations.

(b) Prior to such suspension or revocation, the holder of said certificate shall be given the opportunity for a hearing before the approving authority. A certificate may be suspended or revoked for repeated violations of food safety requirements; for failure to make corrections of documented violations; for operating without a permit or while a permit has been suspended; for failure to adhere to critical items requirements as defined in COMAR 10.15.03.02B; for obtaining such certification under false pretenses; or for preventing regulatory personnel from performing their duty.

(c) The certified food service manager shall surrender his or her certificate to the Department when certification has been suspended or revoked.

(d) Prior to restoring a certificate, retraining may be required for the food service manager and/or all food workers employed in food facilities where there is documented inability to maintain safe and sanitary food handling practices as demonstrated by instances of foodborne illness, serious repeat violations, or other factors increasing the risk to consumers.

#### Sec. 12-115. Special Food Service Facilities — Mobile Units and/or Food Trucks

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-115 (2026)

(a) A complete mobile unit and/or food truck application must include:

  (1) A copy of the Vehicle Registration;

  (2) A copy of his/her insurance policy covering the special food service facility mobile unit and/or food truck; and

  (3) Certification of all applicable health and fire inspections as set forth in Section 12-115(b), (c) and (e) below.

(b) Vehicle Identification.

  (1) The following information must be plainly visible and permanently affixed, with a minimum three (3) inch high letters of contrasting color, to the exterior body of the mobile unit and/or food truck as required by the Health Department:

    (A) Name of mobile unit and/or operator and the vehicle owner's name; and

    (B) Name, address and telephone number and email address of the vehicle owner and the vehicle operator.

  (2) A valid and current Health Department issued decal must be displayed at all times.

  (3) A valid registration card and vehicle tag must be provided prior to licensure, if applicable.

(c) Food Handling; Storage; Source.

  (1) Any mobile unit failing to meet specified requirements of COMAR 10.15.03 must provide written confirmation of accessibility to an approved depot for one or more of the following:

    (A) Utensil washing facilities;

    (B) Disposal of liquid and solid wastes;

    (C) Source of potable water; and

    (D) Storage of foods.

  (2) Mobile food service facilities must provide cold storage units capable of maintaining potentially hazardous food at 41° F, or below.

  (3) Potentially hazardous food which has been displayed for service may not be served again.

  (4) Operators of mobile units must provide evidence that the equipment is capable of reheating, cooking, or hot/cold holding of potentially hazardous foods, as required by this Code.

  (5) Public vending of food from manually propelled mobile units is prohibited on public rights of way in Prince George's County and on private property except for mobile units that are authorized as participants at a stadium, amusement park or in conjunction with a carnival, festival, fair or similar event which has been issued a Special Events Permit from the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement. This section shall not apply to a permit licensee operating within a mixed-use venue whose core uses include the merchandising of retail, food, beverages, and entertainment provided the permit or licensee has the permission of the property management association.

(d) Reserved.

(e) Safety and Sanitation.

  (1) The Fire/EMS Department shall be responsible for:

    (A) Reviewing and issuing a proof of review for the use of open flame and propane gas in mobile vending operations and special food services facilities - mobile units as defined by Section 5-193 of the County Code, excluding ice cream trucks and those selling prepackaged food;

    (B) Conducting fire-safety related inspections of mobile vending businesses and special food services facilities - mobile units as defined by Section 5-193 of the County Code;

    (C) Enforcing County laws and regulations pertaining to any operational permits required under Subtitle 11 of the County Code.

  (2) All mobile vendors and special food services facilities - mobile units as defined by Section 5-193 of the County Code are required to have a Certified Food Manager Certificate pursuant to Section 12-114. The certificate holder shall be present at all times of operation. Vendors at mobile farmer's markets selling unprepared foods such as whole and uncut fruits and vegetables are not covered by this section.

  (3) All mobile vendors and special food services facilities - mobile units as defined by Section 5-193 of the County Code are required to pass an inspection by the Health Department pursuant to Section 12-112.

  (4) All mobile unit vendors and special food services facilities - mobile units as defined by Section 5-193 of the County Code shall:

    (A) Provide adequate trash receptacles; and

    (B) Ensure that the trash generated by their business does not litter the immediate vicinity of their mobile unit.

#### Sec. 12-115.01. Special Food Service Facilities — Temporary Food Service Facilities

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-115.01 (2026)

(a) Applications for a single or multi-day event permit must be received by mail or in person no later than five (5) business days prior to the event. Applications received after that time frame will not be processed.

(b) Permits received after the deadline as well as those permits submitted by operators with a history of noncompliance may be denied. Denial may be based on the type of food prepared and served, the extent of the necessary food handling activity, and the operator's established history of operation.

(c) Attendance at a training class offered by the Department is encouraged prior to issuance of a permit. Attendance will be mandatory for those operators who have demonstrated failure to follow the requirements of this Code.

(d) Multi-day events must have approved overnight storage for food and food service equipment.

(e) Based upon local environmental conditions, location, and other similar factors, the Department may establish additional structural or operational requirements, or both, as necessary to ensure that foods are handled safely at the event.

#### Sec. 12-115.02. Special Food Service Facilities — Farmer's Markets

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-115.02 (2026)

(a) A Farmer's Market Vendor's License shall:

  (1) operate only with written permission at a Farmer's Market in the County as defined in Subtitle 27 of the Prince George's County Code and

  (2) be listed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture

(b) A Farmer's Market Sampler's License shall:

  (1) Be dependent upon issuance of a Farmer's Market Permit.

  (2) Exclude whole uncut produce or products produced with an On Farm Processing License.

### Subdivision 4. Snap to Health Program

#### Sec. 12-116. SNAP to Health Program

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-116 (2026)

(a) The Department shall establish a program entitled "SNAP To Health" to provide technical assistance:

  (1) to a Farmer's Market as defined by Subtitle 27 of the County Code, in acquiring technology necessary to accept and process benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

  (2) to train managers at a Farmer's Market how to manage the reporting requirements and responsibilities associated with managing a system that accepts and processes SNAP benefits.

#### Sec. 12-117. Grants under the SNAP to Health Program

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-117 (2026)

(a) The Department shall provide grants:

  (1) To a Farmer's Market to offset the initial cost of establishing a SNAP acceptance and processing system.

  (2) To a Farmer's Market to offset the costs associated with managing SNAP acceptance and processing such as fees associated with hosting an Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT) device, transaction fees associated with SNAP purchases on the EBT device, and staff costs.

(b) Contingent upon available funding, a Farmer's Market applying for the type of grant assistance found in this Section is eligible for up to three (3) years of assistance in the following increments:

  (1) In the first year, the grant may offset up to One Hundred Percent (100%) of the costs.

  (2) In the second year, the grant may offset up to Fifty Percent (50%) of the costs.

  (3) In the third year, the grant may offset up to Twenty Five Percent (25%) of the costs.

(c) A farmer's market may not receive more than $5,000 in County grants under this program in a single fiscal year.

(d) The Department shall establish the eligibility requirements the managing entity of a farmer's market must meet in order to qualify for a grant through program regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 12-120.

#### Sec. 12-118. Outreach and Advertising

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-118 (2026)

(a) The Department shall collaborate with the Farmer's Markets, the Department of Social Services, the Prince George's County Conference and Visitors Bureau and non-profit organizations on advertising and outreach targeting Prince George's County residents participating in SNAP to inform them which Farmer's Markets accept and process SNAP benefits as well as the health benefits of buying fresh produce at the farmer's market.

#### Sec. 12-119. Funding

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-119 (2026)

(a) The administration and implementation of this program shall be funded initially for an amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) as appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2015 budget.

#### Sec. 12-120. Regulations

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 12-120 (2026)

(a) The Department shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement the requirements of this subdivision by January 1, 2015.

#### Sec. 12-121 through 12-129. Reserved

Prince George's County, Md., Code §§ 12-121–12-129 (2026)