The employees in the Environmental Health Division (EHD) are responsible for a wide range of activities related to environmental health and wellness. Their work encompasses all aspects of environmental safety, including food, air quality, mold, swimming pools, schools and daycare centers, rodent and insect infestations, and body arts.

Food safety is an important issue for all residents and visitors in Hartford; The City of Hartford Department of Health and Human Services promotes food and environmental safety through enforcement of the State of Connecticut Public Health Code and the Municipal Code of the City of Hartford. While regulation and enforcement are essential services, education of business owners and residents is also a key aspect of departmental activity. Our goal is to increase consumer confidence that the food establishments and businesses that they choose to go to are sanitary, environmentally sound and are operating with safe food handling practices.

By Connecticut State Law, all establishments who sell or serve food must be inspected regularly. Depending on the nature and complexity of the food service, establishments are subject to routine inspection from one to four times per year. Food service establishments may be inspected at any time if the department receives a complaint. If an establishment fails a routine or complaint-related inspection, they will be re-inspected until they come into compliance.

In addition to food inspections, the Environmental Health Division inspectors also address many other health-related "nuisances" in Hartford. As needed, the EHD staff will work with inspectors and officials from other City departments, as well as State and Federal officials, to address issues that represent multiple areas of concern, e.g., asbestos, mold and infestations in rental housing, and consumer-protection complaints. The Environmental Health Division will also provide technical assistance to community-based groups on issues of concern.

Judith Dailey 860-757-4761

Carmen Franceschi 860-757-4764

Elizabeth Kavanah 860-757-4757

Jai Li  860-7577-4758

Nikitas Meleounis 860-757-4762

José Morales 860-757-4755

Elpidio Sanchez 860-757-4759

Luigi Sartori  860-757-4765

Renee Smith 860-757-4767

Richard Nieves 860-757-4770

Naomi McKoy 860-757-4756

 

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FOOD SERVICES ESTABLISHMENTS

The City of Hartford Municipal Code Article I, Section 14 states that a food establishment “means an establishment, sometimes referred to as a food operation, engaged in the retail sale of food, including itinerant vendors who transport food for the purpose of retail sale within the city, temporary food service operations and caterers whose fixed base of operation are located within the city's boundaries.”

No person shall operate a food establishment who does not have a valid license issued by the director of health and human services. Only a person who complies with the requirements of this section and the Public Health Code of the State of Connecticut shall be entitled to receive or retain such license. Licenses are not transferable and shall be renewed annually.
A valid license shall be posted in a conspicuous public location, visible to the patrons of the establishment.

In order to obtain a food service license the following steps must be completed:

1. If you are applying for a new food license:
   
   Download and complete the plan review application form
   • Plan review Class 1 form
   • Plan review Class 2,3 and 4 form

   Note: To be able to access these forms or any other form on this website, your computer must have Acrobat Reader. Most computers have Acrobat Reader, and it will usually activate itself automatically. If your computer does not have Acrobat Reader, you can download a copy of it by going to the Adobe Website.

   Section 14-4 of the City Ordinance requires that "every person who proposes to remodel an existing building or portion thereof which is being used or is proposed to be used as a food establishment, or who proposed to construct a new building which is to be used in whole or in part as a food establishment, shall, prior to the start of such remodeling or construction, submit plans thereof in duplicate to the Director of Health for approval...No application for a license to operate a food establishment will be accepted when construction or remodeling is involved until such plans have been submitted and approved." A Plan Review will also be required for every establishment proposing significant changes to its approved menu.

   The Plan Review Procedure occurs as follows.

   1. The plan review application form must be submitted with three (3) copies of the establishment floor plan.
   2. Payment can be made by business check, certified check, money order, or credit card to the City of Hartford (consult fee schedule below)
   3. Plans will be reviewed by the assigned Environmental Health Sanitarian for completeness and compliance with the State of Connecticut Public Health Code and the Hartford Municipal Code.
   4. If the reviewing Environmental Health Sanitarian does not approve the plans as submitted, information on areas of deficiency will be communicated to the owner. The owner or his/her representative will make provisions to resubmit plans required for approval, according to all applicable codes
   5. Once plans are approved, all documents will be stamped as approved. The owner or designee will submit approved plans to the City of Hartford Department of License and Inspections for all required permits.
   6. Construction may start after approvals are obtained from the Department of License and Inspections.
   7. Any revision or deviation from the approved plan is not permitted without prior approval from Health and Human Services.
   8. Once all proposed construction activity is completed, notify the Department of Health and Human Services to schedule a pre-opening inspection. Pre-opening inspection is contingent upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy (CO) by the Department of License and Inspections.
   9. Satisfactory completion of a pre-opening inspection shall not be construed as permission to operate an establishment. The establishment must demonstrate that all applicable permit fees, including food license fees, have been paid.

   Once all necessary fees are paid, the Department of Health and Human Services will approve the business to open. The next step is to fill out a  Food Service License Application and may also require a Plan Review and pay the necessary fee (consult the table below for the fee schedule). Your license will typically be issued on the same day.

   Plan Review Fee Schedule (Includes Mobile vendors and not-for profits)
   Class 1 and 2 Commercially pre-packaged foods only (convenience stores, newspaper stands, etc)	$100
   Class 3 Hot food preparation (with individual orders, such as fast food restaurants, cook/serve operations, etc.) Class 4 Hot food preparation (restaurants, hospitals, cafeterias, etc. Includes hot holding, cooling, and reheating)	$200

   
   
   

   Food Service License Annual Fee schedule
   Class	Class definition	Fee
   Class 1	Commercially pre-packaged foods only (convenience stores, newspaper stands, etc)	$125
   Class 2	Cold food preparation (sandwich shops, delicatessens with no cooking, ice cream parlors, cafes, grocery stores, etc)	$200
   Class 3	Hot food preparation (with individual orders, such as fast food restaurants, cook/serve operations, etc.)	$300
   Class 4	Hot food preparation (restaurants, hospitals, cafeterias, etc. Includes hot holding, cooling, and reheating)	$400
   * Caterer		*$200
   Not-for-profit processing fee		$50
   Itinerant/Mobil Vendor		$500

   RENEW ON TIME!

   Click here to view the schedule of late fees for food establishment renewals.

   The license fee for caterers is in ADDITION TO THE ANNUAL FEE FOR CLASS 1,2,3 OR 4 license fee.

2. If you need to renew your existing license: The City of Hartford Health and Human Services Department will send you a renewal application in May or June of each year. Please review it for any updates (such as phone number, address, etc) sign it, enclose the fee (consult fee schedule above) and mail it back to the City of Hartford Health and Human Services Department, 131 Coventry Street, Hartford, CT 06112 attention: license renewal. A new license will be mailed to you at the address that you provide.
   
   

3. If a food establishment is sold, the new owner must complete a Change of Ownership form, a new plan review for approval and a new food service license application. Upon payment of the fees and completion of the approval process a new license will be issued under the new owners’ name.

Licensing of Temporary Events

The Hartford Municipal Code Section 14-6 defines temporary food events as:

Temporary food establishment means a food establishment that operates at a fixed location for a temporary period of time, not to exceed two (2) weeks, in connection with a carnival, circus, public exhibition, festival, celebration, or similar transitory gathering.

1. Any person required to be licensed for temporary food service under this article shall make application to the department health and human services, environmental health division. The event coordinator or the event operator is the individual required to complete the application. All applicants shall make the required application at least thirty (30) days prior to the opening event.
2. Prior to issuing a license, the director of health or his/her authorized agent shall inspect the proposed temporary food establishment to determine compliance with the provisions of this section and the Public Health Code of the State of Connecticut.
3. The director of health shall issue a license to the applicant if the inspection reveals that the proposed temporary food establishment complies with the requirements of this section and the Public Health Code of the State of Connecticut.
4. Temporary licenses shall not exceed a period of five (5) days.

For more detailed information please click on this list Temporary Food Service Guide. Examples of temporary events include health fairs, block parties, church events, ethnic celebrations and any other event that plan to serve or sell food and it is open to the public.

Anyone applying for a temporary event license needs to complete a Temporary Food Event Vendor Application.

If the event involves several vendors a Temporary Food Event Coordinator’s Application ( TFE) should be completed by the Temporary Food Event coordinator with all information requested and submitted 30 days prior to the opening of the event, with the event’s map and list of food vendors. The Coordinator is responsible for collecting all food vendors’ Temporary Food Event Vendor Applications (an application must be filled out by each Food Vendor) and payment submitted 15 days prior to the opening of the event. Payment must be made by check or money order to City of Hartford and mailed or brought to the Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Health Division, 131 Coventry Street, Hartford, CT 06112.

Forms/Guides:

Temporary Food Service Guide
Temporary Food Event Coordinator's Application
Temporary Food Event Vendor Application
Checklist for Temporary Food Booth Operators

What is a Qualified Food Operator (QFO)?

According to the Connecticut Health Code, Sec. 19-13-B42
-Each person owning, operating, or managing any food service establishment designated as either Class III or Class IV shall be a qualified food operator or employ onsite at least one (1) (qualified) food operator who is in a supervisory position at said establishment.
Anyone involved in preparing hot or cold foods should attend a class on qualified food operation; besides being in compliance with Connecticut Law for Class III and Class IV food establishments, it is an educational tool for you and your employees. The program will not only cover basic sanitation principles and prepare you for the certification exam, it is specifically tailored for the industry to give you a better comprehension of the applicable uses of the knowledge you'll get from the course. You can learn how to eliminate hazards that can contribute to food-borne illnesses, and how to establish rules for safe food handling throughout your operation. The program will also provide you with the necessary tools to train your employees in food safety techniques.

For a list of organizations that offer the Qualified Food Operator training please
Click here

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NUISANCE CONTROL

The City of Hartford has taken aggressive steps to tackle the rodent problem in our city.  The approach taken by the City involves primarily three steps:

• Block by block survey of the city

• Education campaign

While the education component will be performed by many departments and distribution of new trash cans will be performed by the Department of Public Works, the Environmental Health Division will be working closely with the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) on the block-by-block survey of Hartford.   While L&I will be responsible for residential properties, the Environmental Health Division will be responsible for commercial and mixed properties.

We are surveying all commercial and mixed use properties in Hartford.  In the beginning of the project, we are focusing on the targeted area developed by L&I, and are closely working with Public Works' Clean Cities program to ensure that our inspectors leave an area just before Clean Cities enters the area to clean it up.

During an inspection, our sanitarians and inspectors use a checklist to determine what, if any, conditions are on a property that may contribute to the rodent problem, or are simply offensive and a public health threat.   These conditions include:

In addition to confirming that these conditions exist, inspectors also place them on a sketch of the lot, so as to help the owner more easily locate them on their property.  Orders are also given to abate the situation by a particular date.  Copies of the completed inspection form are kept on file in the Environmental Health Division, posted on the property, and mailed to the property owner.

You Can Help Us in the Fight Against Rats by:

1. Keep lids on all trash containers.

2. Do not feed animals outside, and especially do not leave food outside.

3. Clean up your property in advance of our arrival.  It makes no sense to bait a property for rats if the property is still providing food and/or homes for rats.  By cleaning up your property, it lets us get to more properties sooner, and hopefully letting us tackle Hartford's rat problem as soon as possible!

If you have questions about abandoned vehicles or commercial properties please consult the information on Chapter 15 of the Municipal Code or call us at 860-757-4700.

 

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TATTOO AND PIERCING REGULATIONS

HARTFORD’S BODY ARTS ORDINANCE

The Environmental Health Division has worked with noted regional tattooing and piercing artists to develop a comprehensive Municipal Ordinance to regulate the provision of body arts services . The purpose of the Ordinance is to assure citizens who wish to obtain a body arts procedure that Hartford’s body artists are informed and compliant with sterilization and safety standards, and that their facilities are clean and  well-maintained.

 The Body Arts Ordinance is operational in Hartford, and the Health and Human Services Department is consulting with several other cities as they develop their own ordinances  to monitor these increasingly popular practices. The Hartford Ordinance has been made available to the CT Department of Public Health as a possible model for statewide implementation.  

All fees should be paid at 131 Coventry St., Hartford

Forms/Guides:
	Body Arts Facility Permit Application
	Body Arts Health Questionnaire
	Body Arts Licensure Application
	Body Arts Report of Infection Form

For further information about the Hartford Body Arts Ordinance, please consult the information on the Municipal Ordinance or call the Environmental Health Division at (860) 757-4760.

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LEAD POISONING PREVENTION

The Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will help provide you with some background information on lead and lead poisoning.  In addition, the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program provides educational information to families with young children who are at risk; provides periodic seminars on way to avoid lead poisoning in young children; performs case management and environmental inspections for children with elevated blood lead levels that have been referred by the child's primary care provider; and will provide assistance to all federal, state, or community agencies. 

Lead Poisoning Abatement Issues

The information below can help parents, homeowners, and contractors with regards to abating lead and lead-based paint.  This information should be used as guidelines only.  Please consult a Connecticut State Certified Lead Abatement Professional with any detailed questions you may have. 

For information about Lead Abatement Issues for Parents, click here. 
For information about Lead Abatement Issues for Landlords, click here.

LEAD ABATEMENT ISSUES (source: State of Connecticut Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program)

All lead problems should be abated.  For information about abatement, contact your local health department.  The following information might prove useful in the time between when you find out you have a lead problem, and when your residence can get abated.

Information about Lead Abatement for Parents:

Information about Lead Abatement for Landlords:

For further information about the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at the Hartford Health Department, contact: Arlene Robertson, Project Supervisor at (860) 757-4700 or Eleanor Cappa, HUD/LEAD at (860) 757-4710, or send an email by clicking on their name. 

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HARTFORD YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT

The website Hartford: Your Health and Your Environment—What You Should Know is a joint project of the City of Hartford Health Department, the United States Environmental Protection Agency New England/Urban Environment Initiative (EPA), Boston's John Snow Institute (JSI), and the University of Connecticut's Environmental Research Institute (ERI).

The Hartford: Your Health and Your Environment - What You Should Know web site has been designed for residents, environmental health advocates, health professionals, educators, government agencies, and media, so that they can use this information to get involved in environmental decision-making. It provides background information, data on current concerns, and resources to address these important Hartford issues. This website includes topics such as Lead Poisoning, Asthma, Outdoor Air Quality, Indoor Air Quality, Open Space, Brownfields, and Environmental Justice. To view the site, click here. 

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