Food Establishments & Hotels
DIAL Regulation of Food Businesses & Hotels
DIAL regulates food businesses (e.g., restaurants, bars, food trucks, farmers markets, stores, etc.) and lodging (e.g., hotels, motels, inns, B&Bs). It also oversees home food processing establishments. This license replaced home bakery licenses and adds the ability for licensees to make, package, and process more products.
Unregulated institutional premises (like schools and jails) may request a voluntary inspection for $100. Contact the Food Safety Bureau with questions.
Other Oversight
Iowa Department of Revenue. Regulates the sale of alcohol and tobacco. Learn which food categories are taxable or tax exempt in Iowa and how you can use this information as a business or a citizen.
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Regulates slaughter and processing facilities in Iowa that produce products for wholesale within the state of Iowa, as well as dairy farms, processors, and transporters, and commercial animal feed and pet food.
Food & Hotel License Types
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Retail Food Establishments
These include grocery stores or convenience stores. If they serve hot food, a Food Service license may be needed also.
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Food Service Establishments
Food service establishments include restaurants, bars, concession stands, tap rooms, catering, and commissaries.
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Farmers Markets
A farmers market operates seasonally, offering Iowa-produced farm products and goods for off-premises consumption.
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Food Processing Plants
This category includes food processing plants and warehouses that store, package, label, or manufacture food.
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Unattended Food Establishments & Vending Machines
Unattended food establishments sell packaged foods or whole fruit through automated payment systems.
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Home Food Processing Establishments
The HFPE license replaces the home bakery license, allowing more food products to be made, packaged, & processed at home
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Mobile Food Units
Mobile food units include food trucks or pushcarts that serve precooked or prewrapped foods needing minimal assembly.
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Temporary Food Service Establishments
Multiple license types are available depending on the type of event including fairs, festivals, crafts or other show.
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Hotels & Motels
This license is required to operate a hotel, motel, inn, motor inn, or bed and breakfast inn.
Food Safety: Complaints & Reports
File a Complaint. If you've witnessed a possible food code violation or hygiene issue, file a complaint to express your concerns.
Review Inspection Reports. Businesses are required to post their inspection reports for the public to view. Review reports for bars, restaurants, hotels, and more.
Report Food Poisoning. If you or someone you know may have consumed compromised food, call 844.469.2742 (844-IowaSic) to report possible food poisoning.
Food License Application
Apply or Renew a Food License
DIAL's food licensing system lets you quickly and easily complete a license application or renewal online. Get started.
Online Renewal Guides
Licensing guides are available for each license type. For general instructions on submitting a license application for a new business, please view our guide for new food licenses.
Cottage Foods
“Cottage foods” are foods that are prepared in a residence that are not subject to licensing or inspection. The only food establishment where cottage foods can be sold are temporary food establishments, if the temporary establishment is operated by the producer of the food and is packaged and labeled as outlined on the cottage foods page.
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Rules for Dogs on Patios
Dogs on Patios
Pet dogs are not allowed inside food establishments. Only service dogs are allowed inside food establishments.
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RAGBRAI Licensing & Registration
Food Licensing for RAGBRAI
Event registration applications for RAGBRAI are due May 30. Temporary food establishment licenses are due 30 days prior to the first day of operation (RAGBRAI begins July 19).