Traveling Tea Tavern — Permit & Event Checklist
THE TRAVELING TEA TAVERN | INTERNAL OPERATIONS REFERENCE
Food Licensing & Event Setup Checklist
Maricopa County, ArizonaCounty • October 2026 •| ForScope: permit administrationbrewing and eventserving staffgongfu tea on-site at events. Bottled potions are handled in a separate guide.
1. Permits andPermit background
& quick facts
Permit: Mobile Food Type I:I, Currentas workingestablished permitthrough pathTea Tavern’s prior correspondence with Maricopa County for off-its on-site packaged-foodtea service. This guide is for tea brewed to order using a gaiwan at a temporary event setup, not packaged potion sales.
2026 County fee: $290 for a one-year Type I permit. ListedThe 2026earlier fees:six-month $290/yearType orI $145/sixoption months.was Checkremoved in the amountCounty’s revised fee schedule. Verify the charge shown atin Permit Center before payment.
Bottled “potions”: Robin uses Arizona Cottage Food registration. Registration has no listed state application fee; food-handler training may cost extra.
2. Maricopa County Permit Center — application checklist
Apply / renew:manage permit: https://maricopacountyaz-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice
County Mobilemobile Foodfood guidance: https://www.maricopa.gov/3977/Mobile-Food-Establishments
☐ ConfirmSign with County that the proposed event setup and on-site gongfu brewing fit the permit type before operating.
☐ Create an accountin or signcreate in to thea Permit Center;Center selectaccount; choose the Mobile Food Establishment /application and Type I application.classification.
☐ Enter Tea Tavern’s business/owner information and describe live gongfu tea brewing and service accurately.
☐ Prepare business/ownerthe contactlive-tea informationmenu, setup photographs, and proposedevent/route menu,or includingoperating-location packaged potions if sold.information.
☐ GatherAttach the commissary agreement (if required), route sheet / event locations, and setup/unitother photographs.supporting documents requested for this operation.
☐ Provide packaged-product photos and labels, plus processor permit or equivalent if applicable.
☐ Submit application and supporting materials; completeComplete any required pre-operational attestation.attestation and provide handwashing setup photos if requested.
☐ RespondSubmit the application; respond to County questions,requests; pay invoicedthe fee,assessed and obtain permit card/placard before operation.fee.
☐ RecordSave the issued permit numbercard/placard, permit number, expiration date, and expirationCounty date;correspondence.
☐ Track renewal and update route/the route sheet and commissary documentsdocumentation aswhen required.
4.Before Eventeach dayevent
—
☐ on-Confirm the event date, location, arrival time, loading access, table space, water access, and organizer rules.
☐ Check that the permit is active and the event service fits the County-approved operating arrangement.
☐ Confirm the current tea menu, expected attendance, staffing, and tea/water supply.
☐ Confirm a suitable handwashing and wastewater-disposal location or bring the approved portable setup.
☐ Pack printed or offline copies of permits, event details, and key contact information.
On-site equipment and& documents
☐ Bring permitPermit card/placard and anyrelevant event authorization; display as required.
☐ BringClean, cottage-foodstable registration, food-handler documentation,table and productwashable labelsservice ifsurfaces; sellinggaiwan, potions.tea vessels, cups, tea, and brewing accessories.
☐ BringSafe currenthot-water event/route informationsource and adequate potable water for tea preparation.
☐ Portable handwashing station as required by the approved setup: insulated potable-water supply (previous County guidance: 5 gallons at approximately 100°F), continuous-flow spigot, soap, and disposable paper towels.
☐ Wastewater collection container (at least 15% greater capacity than freshwater supply; 5 gallons requires at least 5.75 gallons wastewater capacity).
☐ Trash receptacle, cleaning/sanitizing supplies, and safe transport containers for used equipment.
☐ Current route/event information, commissary detailsagreement/contact ifdetails, required.and food-handler documentation as applicable.
Setup, service & closing
☐ Set up a stable,clean cleanableservice area and handwashing station before handling tea serviceor surface, approved brewing equipment and potable water.
☐ Where required by the approved operation: portable handwash station with 5-gallon insulated water supply (at least 100°F), continuous-flow spigot, wastewater container of at least 5.75 gallons, soap and disposable towels.
☐ Bring trash receptacle and approved wastewater-disposal plan; do not dump wastewater on site.
☐ Bring thermometer and suitable temperature-control equipment if any product requires it.equipment.
☐ Check labels,potable packagingwater, integrity,hot-water producthandling, storage,wastewater cleanlinesscapacity, and staff hygiene beforesupplies.
☐ Brew and serve tea using the approved on-site process; keep clean and used equipment separate.
☐ Monitor water and waste levels; replenish supplies as needed without contaminating the service area.
☐ At close:closing, packsecure equipment and sanitizesupplies; equipment,remove dispose of waste properly,trash and recordwastewater for approved disposal.
☐ Record any incidentsincidents, missing supplies, or supplyissues shortages.to address before the next event.
5.Quick Contactsreference and regulatory references
Maricopa& County Environmental Services: ENVPlanreview@maricopa.gov | 602-506-6824
Type I guidelines: https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/24860/Mobile-Food-Type-I-Guidelines-PDF
CountyMobile feeFood schedule:application (PDF): https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/80755746/Mobile-Food-Permit-Application-PDF
ArizonaCounty cottage-foodfee statute:update: https://www.azleg.maricopa.gov/ars/36/00932.htmDocumentCenter/View/111480/ES-2025-004-Fee-Summary
Pre-operational attestation: https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Attestation-for-New-Permits-Mobile-Food--392
Maricopa County Environmental Services
ENVPlanreview@maricopa.gov
602-506-6824
1645 E. Roosevelt St.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Separate procedure: Bottled Potions — Arizona Cottage Food production, labeling, storage, and sales. Do not use this checklist to manage bottled potion compliance.