Plan Review: Food Facilities, Pools & Spas
* Effective July 1, 2025, Environmental Health Plan Review fees will be increasing. The proposed changes effective July 1, 2025. Plan Review Fee Change.
As part of the licensing procedure, any retail food facility, public swimming pool, spa, or recreational aquatic feature that is built or remodeled in Sacramento County must submit plans and have them approved by the EMD Plan Review staff.
This video: Remodeling or Upgrading your Food Facility? explains what types of changes may require plan review and how to get it approved.
- Electronic Plan Submittal: Environmental Health Plan Review accepts electronic plan submittals for food, mobile food and pool plan check. Electronic plan submittal is not mandatory and is offered as a convenience. It is the responsibility of the architect/draftsperson/owner/etc. to ensure that plans are submitted to all required agencies/parties.
- MyHD Portal: You can now view the status of Plan Review projects on MyHD. Use Show Details feature to track the status of a project as it gets completed. MyHD Portal
- Environmental Health Plan Review fees will be increasing. The majority of fees remain unchanged. The proposed changes effective July 1, 2025. Plan Review Fee Change
- Food Facility plans are reviewed to ensure that the facility will have adequate equipment and layout to allow for safe and sanitary food service, as required by federal, state and local regulations. Plans and specifications need to be submitted to the department before construction or operation if:
- Construction of a food establishment is proposed; Conversion of an existing structure is proposed for use as an food establishment; Changes to the types of food, methods of food preparation, or style of service are proposed;
- New equipment will be installed;
- Existing equipment will be replaced;
- Remodeling of an existing establishment is proposed; or
- A food establishment has not been previously permitted by Environmental Health.
- Pool, spa, wading pool, and recreational water feature plans must be reviewed to ensure that equipment is appropriately sized and designed to maintain sanitary recreational water, free of safety hazards. For construction or remodel of a pool, spa, or water feature forms, please visit Pools, Forms & Documents.