Under ARS §36-136 and Maricopa County Environmental Health Code Chapter 8, every food handler in the county must obtain a Maricopa County Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire. Cards remain valid for three years and must be carried during shifts.
Arizona Revised Statutes §36-136 grants the Department of Health Services and county health departments authority to require food-handler training. Maricopa County Environmental Health Code Chapter 8 implements that authority by requiring every person who works with unpackaged food, food equipment, or utensils in a permitted retail food facility within Maricopa County to obtain a Maricopa County Food Handler Card. New hires must complete an approved online training and exam and obtain the card within 30 days of starting work. Cards remain valid for three years. Workers must carry the card on the job, and employers must keep a copy on file for MCESD inspection. Owners and certified Food Protection Managers have separate higher-tier certification obligations.
Operating with uncertified food handlers can result in inspection citations, mandatory training plans, and reinspection fees from MCESD. Repeat violations may escalate to permit suspension under Maricopa County Environmental Health Code Chapter 1.
Tempe, AZ
Tempe regulates industrial noise through Chapter 20 (Noise) of the City Code and the Zoning and Development Code. Industrial uses must not generate noise exc...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe addresses barking dogs under both the noise ordinance (Chapter 20) and animal control regulations. Dogs that bark persistently and disturb neighbors ca...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe requires vehicles to park on approved hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt driveways. Parking on dirt, gravel, or landscaped areas is prohibited. ...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe generally does not require a building permit for standard residential fences up to 6 feet in height. Fences exceeding 6 feet, masonry walls, and fences...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's Zoning and Development Code regulates fence materials in residential zones. Common permitted materials include block, stucco, wrought iron, wood, vin...
Tempe, AZ
Tempe's zoning code limits residential fence heights to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 3 feet in front yards. Corner lots may have additional visibility t...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle food handler certification.
See how Tempe's food handler certification rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.