Fish Fry Permit 2026

Published on February 11, 2026

Planning a Lenten Fish Fry? Health Department Reminds Organizers to Apply for 2026 Fish Fry Permits

PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department’s (ACHD) Food Safety Program reminds all organizations that intend on temporarily hosting a fish fry that they need to apply for a valid food permit for the 2026 Lenten season.

Lent starts on February 18, so permits should be submitted as soon as possible to be properly processed and inspected in time for the season. Applications and payments may be completed online or submitted by mail to the ACHD Food Safety Program, 2121 Noblestown Road, Suite 210, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. Checks and money orders will be accepted and must be made payable to the Treasurer of Allegheny County.

Please note that anyone completing an online permit, even if they did before, must create a new login as the health department changed its permit processing software.

“The permit process includes a food safety inspection,” said Amanda Mator, ACHD Food Safety Program Manager, “The Health Department’s Food Safety Program works directly with the fish fry organizers to assure safe processes and confirm that organizations that apply for temporary fish fry permits have adequate food preparation equipment and trained food workers.”

The application contains a checklist to help fish fries operate using the best practices for food safety. The checklist must be completed for a fish fry to receive a temporary permit. The temporary permit is $45 for nonprofit organizations.

Temporary permits allow a fish fry to operate throughout Lent, while an annual permit provides food facilities with the ability to operate throughout the year. However, annual permits take 6-8 weeks to process and have varying costs.

“Following proper food safety procedures is the best way to ensure fish fry patrons enjoy this long-standing tradition in Allegheny County,” explained Otis Pitts, ACHD Deputy Director for Food Safety, Housing and Policy. “The entire application process means fish fry operators have peace of mind that they are following the safest procedures when serving food to their neighbors in the community.”

Anyone with questions, or needing more information, may contact the ACHD’s Food Safety Program by calling 412-578-8044 or emailing foodsafety@alleghenycounty.us. For more information about permitting and safe food handling, visit the Food Safety Program’s website at AlleghenyCounty.us/FoodSafety.

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The Allegheny County Health Department's mission is to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of the more than 1.2 million people who call Allegheny County home.

Media inquiries may be directed to Ronnie Das,
Public Information Officer for the Health Department,
at ronnie.das@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-578-7991.