Who must obtain a permit?
- Any person or camp wishing to serve food to the public will require a permit no matter the number served.
- Any theme camp that is serving meals to 125 persons or more in the camp.
The application must include a complete menu for review and approval. There are certain foods or processes that will not be approved for service at Burning Man. Simple food preparation methods are recommended to reduce the risk of illness. Complex food operations that involve potentially hazardous foods that are difficult to maintain in playa conditions, will be prohibited. Prohibited foods include:
- The service or sharing of food from unapproved sources; such as food prepared in a private home,
- Foods prepared under a cottage food registration or home-canned foods,
- Food that has undergone reduced oxygen packaging (i.e. vacuum sealing),
- Raw or undercooked shellfish under any circumstances,
- Raw or undercooked animal products.
- The health department does not accept applications or issue permits on the playa.
- The health department does not require permits for bars serving ONLY alcoholic beverages.
- You must set-up and use your hand washing station before providing food service. Failure to provide a hand wash station will result in closure.
The permit fee is $50, and you send that in with your application IN ADVANCE (they do not accept walk-up applications on playa). If approved, you will received paperwork via mail from the health department. You then bring that to them on-playa to give them your camp location and to pick up your permit. Location and schedule for 2016 has not yet been announced, but historically they are located at or next to Playa Info near Center Camp.