Saratoga County DOH To Begin Restaurant Inspections 

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County officials have announced that its Department of Health will begin permit and enforcement operations for restaurants and mobile food service establishments on Jan. 1, 2025, as part of the County’s continued expansion to a full-service local health department. 

The Saratoga County Department of Health (SCDOH) will send each restaurant a new permit that replaces their New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) permit. The new permit is free and is valid for the same period as the restaurant’s current permit.  

SCDOH is piloting an online permitting system, which will be available to restaurants and mobile food service establishments before the expiration of their existing permits.  Each business will receive instructions on how to access the electronic system in early 2025.   

 “The addition of responsibility for restaurants and mobile food service regulation is another important step forward in Saratoga County’s expansion to a full-service health department,” said Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett in a statement.  “Not only will our Department of Health assume these responsibilities from the State at the start of the new year, but we are also modernizing and improving customer service for business owners with an electronic permitting system that will make it easier and more convenient for food service establishments to stay in compliance.”

Due to Saratoga County’s population increase, the County must assume responsibility for the provision of environmental health services from the NYSDOH.  

With oversight from the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, Public Health Advisory Task Force, SCDOH’s expansion to a full-service health department began in 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2025.  To date, the Department has assumed responsibility for the operation and enforcement of 15 environmental health related sections of New York State Public Health Law and the State Sanitary Code.   

For more information about the Saratoga County Department of Health, visit www.saratogacountyny.gov/DOH