[BBQCZAR]

Hey teams,just an FYI here.I was at the health dept. obtaining a special event permit for an upcoming event we are doing and I was FIRMLY reminded that you MUST have a one time $85.00 "special event" permit in order to sell peoples choice at any upcoming BBQ competitions in Maricopa county.The info,requirements,etc.  for the permit is located on the Maricopa county health dept. website.Remember what almost happened this year at the Scottsdale event,I don't want  it happen to any teams at any upcoming events.If you don't have a permit at a competition you will get a warning citation and it is recorded with the health dept.and after a few of those you will get an actual fine and may not be able to obtain any permits in the future becasue of this.Just because this info is not on any entry forms for competitions doesn't mean you don't have to have a permit,you do. One more thing the permit MUST be obtained 7 days prior to the event,otherwise it's an extra $50 on top of that.If you are not doing peoples choice,no permits are needed.The health dept. REALLY started cracking down this year on events like BBQ comps,chili cook-off's,farmers markets,etc.and they will have inspectors at upcoming competions in Maricopa County.I hope this helps teams that may not have known this, or had forgotten, from the Scottsdale event.    

[auggieaug]

What happened in Scottsdale?  Please share with us who may not have heard.  Thanks!

[BBQCZAR]

What happened in Scottsdale?  Please share with us who may not have heard.  Thanks!

At the Scottsdale event the organizers (who are new to putting on comps)did not know the health dept. had changed the rules in 2011 about doing peoples choice and selling samples to the public.The organizers found out the day of the event and they had to secure permits for all the teams at $85 a team,it was very costly and almost made the event not happen.

[AZWildcat]

That being said  David Tyda and his crew went above and beyond, eating the cost of the permits and doing it all at last moment. They are an A+ crew! Ill go to their comps any day!

[BBQCZAR]

That being said  David Tyda and his crew went above and beyond, eating the cost of the permits and doing it all at last moment. They are an A+ crew! Ill go to their comps any day!

I couldn't agree more,all those permits came directly out of their pocket so the event could move forward,they have several upcoming events and we will be at all of them 

[grizmt]

To add to this, I just had a quarterly inspection yesterday and spent quite a bit of time talking with an inspector we've become friendly with. There are some newer things that have happened since Scottsdale and some new things being considered. One of the newest is they're looking at putting a GPS tag on anyone with a mobile food unit to save money driving around and also to bust units that don't have one as obviously they'd not have a permit. The technology is available but a bit too pricey right now though this could change at any time.
The biggest two that are now in affect, if you are caught vending without a permit it is $1500.00 per day AND 4 days in jail AND they can/will impound your vehicle for 30 days. It is up to the inspector if he wishes to enforce the above or just warn you. If you are caught a second time (after a warning) they can/will go back up to 10 days and fine you $1500.00 per day & 4 days jail per day for a possible $15000.00 fine and 40 days in Sheriff Joe's tent city. On top of that your vehicle will be charged $120.00 a day storage for the 30 days AND you will have to show license,insurance and registration along with the fine to get it out.
It's ALL about the $$$$ folks, as you can guess the county is highly motivating these people to enforce the laws so they can collect more $$$ for a cash strapped general fund.

I'm told there's currently 51 vehicles/trailers in impound right now and betting most of 'em will end up at county auction.
I was informed you could either buy an $85 per event permit or $300 for a year permit. Either way if you're going to serve ANY food to the public be it samples or otherwise you have to BUY A PERMIT unless you're feeling really lucky or are rich.
I guess the bottom line will be like most business decisions, does it make sense to spend the $$$ in hopes of selling enough to cover the permit,extra food costs,event entry fees and still make something for the trouble.

[AzScott]

Our county is the bastion of over regulation.  This is one of those things where the county is going to eliminate events and tax revenue in the hopes of pulling in a few thousand in fees.  Government regulators blow since they create their own rules, often over some drinks with big industry players, without our input or the ability to vote them out.       

[BBQCZAR]

Our county is the bastion of over regulation.  This is one of those things where the county is going to eliminate events and tax revenue in the hopes of pulling in a few thousand in fees.  Government regulators blow since they create their own rules, often over some drinks with big industry players, without our input or the ability to vote them out.       

You are 100% correct,they think all these permit fees will make them money,instead of getting more and bigger events that would ultimately bring in more revenue for the county.

[AzScott]

The problem right now is they are all fighting to justify their positions and increasing the fines and/or creating new regulations does that.  Our company files for a permit on every project that requires one and it seems the only thing that does is paint a target on your back.

[route66]

It is a sad state of affairs that they must raise money to justify their positions. I do think we need inspectors and rules for safety but it has become very burdensome with fees. I spend $5000+ per year in fees and licences as my business travels from state to state in many counties. Each place has their own rules and regulations which is a challenge to learn. It is the price we pay to be a Free Country.

[Mark]

I had posted this by mistake on the Mesa comp thread, but please note that the upcoming Rock Springs event is in Yavapai County, not subject to Maricopa County rules & regs.

[grizmt]

It is a sad state of affairs that they must raise money to justify their positions. I do think we need inspectors and rules for safety but it has become very burdensome with fees. I spend $5000+ per year in fees and licences as my business travels from state to state in many counties. Each place has their own rules and regulations which is a challenge to learn. It is the price we pay to be a Free Country.

Quite true for us as well that's why we've limited our events in Maricopa to only a couple a year. From the sad but true file and to highlight how our county views "some" people I submit this true story as I heard it.
Last May, the week of the 5th to be precise there was to be a large enforcement action of Health dept laws concentrating on mobile food vendors. This sweep took months to plan involving multiple law enforcement people from Border Patrol to Homeland Security. They were going after all the "illegal" roadside vendors who sell everything from tamales to kettlecorn, some of it truly poison on a plate.
At the last minute word came down from "above" to shut it down. Why you might ask? Because it was Cinco De Mayo, a "holiday" here and such an enforcement action would be racist.
Sad but not surprising.

[grizmt]

I had posted this by mistake on the Mesa comp thread, but please note that the upcoming Rock Springs event is in Yavapai County, not subject to Maricopa County rules & regs.

And a very smart move by BCS!