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Guidance Notes to Applicants of Food License

DOs

• choose premises which are designated to be used for restaurant business under the occupation permit and the Government Lease.
• choose premises in which there are no unauthorized building works by cross reference to the approved building plan.
• choose premises with nett floor areas preferably not less than 30m sq and 20m sq respectively for a general restaurant and a light refreshment restaurant.
• choose premises on floors with adequate loading capacity.
• choose premises with adequate means of escape.
• choose premises with mains water supply, flush toilets and a proper drainage system.
• choose premises capable of providing an independent and separate ventilating system to the kitchen, toilets and seating accommodation.
• prepare three copies of layout plans and air-conditioning / ventilation layout plans of the proposed premises drawn to scale (of not less than 1:100) and in metric units for submission together with your application to the appropriate licensing office.
• note the relevant requirements in respect of drainage, air pollution and noise control as stipulated in the relevant ordinances.
• appoint an authorized person or registered structural engineer where extensive alteration and additional works are to be carried out or if you are unfamiliar with any of the foregoing requirements.

DON'Ts

• choose premises at industrial buildings.
• choose the upper floors of any premises which are designed for domestic use.
• choose premises at level four of a basement or below.
• choose premises in areas designated for emergency use.
• choose premises located vertically below, therefore posing a fire hazard to, a registered school, child care centre or elderly home.
• choose premises on the upper floors of single staircase buildings.
• plan to use the areas where manholes or soil, waste and rain water pipes are situated as kitchens, food preparation rooms and sculleries.
• start renovating or decorating your premises before your application has been cleared by the Application Vetting Panel.
• revise the proposed layout plans unnecessarily after your application has been cleared by the Applicatoin Vetting Panel. Revision will cause delay in the processing of your application.
• commence business before a licence is obtained from the Licensing Authority.
• ignore the requirements imposed by other Government departments including the Buildings Department, the Fire Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the Environmental Protection Department notwithstanding that a licence has been granted by the Licensing Authority.
  
  

Minimum Area for Food Room
According to the Fifth Schedule to the Food Business Regulation, every general or light refreshment restaurant is required to be provided with a food room, the regulation commences on 1-Aug-2010, the area of which is as follows: