Environmental Health FAQs

Body Art
Chemical Hazards
Emergency Preparedness
Food Service
Healthy Homes and Lead
Hotels, Motels, Campgrounds
Indoor Air/Mold
Insects and Diseases
Pools
Rabies
Sewage/Septic Systems
Tanning Facilities
Well Water
Zika

For complaints (including COVID related), services, inspections, or questions contact your County Environmental Health Office  (or view as webpage).

After Hours Public Health Emergencies
1-866-PUB-HLTH (782-4584)

Restaurant Pool, and Hotel Inspection Search Click here.

For questions or complaints about a facility, contact your County Environmental Health Office.

DPH Regulations and Rule-Making

Food Service:  511-6-1   (additional documents)

Pools: 511-3-5 (additional documents)

Portable Sanitation:  511-3-6  (additional documents)

Septic Tanks:  511-3-1  (additional documents)

Tanning Facilities:  Title 31, Chapter 38  (additional documents)

Tourist Accommodations:  511-6-2  (additional documents)

1. Review the certification requirements for individuals and companies.  Click here  .
2. Study for the exam(s). As a contractor you must demonstrate knowledge of all standards and criteria found in the DPH Manual for On-site Sewage Management Systems. However, it will be helpful in preparing for the exam(s) to focus on  Section A- Rules and Regulations  and  Section D- Pretreatment ,  Section E- Effluent Distribution and Dosing Devices , and  Section F- Dispersal . Pumpers, focus on  Section I- Removal and Disposal . Portable Sanitation Pumpers focus on Rule 511-3-6 .You must pass at least the Residential Exam to install and the Pumper Exam if you are going to pump septic tanks. Additional exams are required for installing Commercial systems, Subsurface Drip Systems, and Mounds.  
3. Contact your County Environmental Health Office  to schedule your exam. 
4. Complete the application(s) and bring them to your county.
   1. Contractor and Company
5. If starting a new company, pay your company certification fee.
6. If you are a pumper company, you'll also need to have your truck(s) inspected by the county and be issued a County Septage and Removal Permit. 

Important Notes: 

• If you were previously certified and have been non-certified for over 2 years, you must reapply and retest. 
• If you are changing companies, need to change your contact information, or have any questions about certification, please call the State Environmental Health Office at 404-657-6534.

Installers
Pumpers
Portable Sanitation Providers
Soil Classifiers   (Level III)

Please call your local County Environmental Health Office to find out details regarding permitting requirements and inspections (or view phone numbers as webpage).

Please call your local County Environmental Health Office to find out details regarding permitting requirements and inspections (or view phone numbers as webpage).

Read our FAQs .

Contact your County Environmental Health Office with additional questions and to get started.

View FAQs as a downloaded pdf file .

Q: What are the Georgia rules about dogs in restaurants?
A: Georgia Food Service Rules and Regulations require restaurants to obtain approval from the local health department before providing a dog-friendly dining space. This dining space must be outside and only accessible from the outside. Pet owners are not allowed to walk their dogs through any indoor dining areas or non-designated areas to access a dog-friendly dining patio. Only service animals that perform a task or service for their owners are allowed inside restaurants in Georgia. Pet dogs, comfort dogs or other animals are not allowed in any indoor dining areas of restaurants.

Q: How will I know if a restaurant is dog-friendly?
A: Restaurants are required to notify customers that their establishment is dog-friendly. This information will be available through signs, or from restaurant staff. The restaurant must have an outside entrance to the dog-friendly area that will allow the pet owner and their dog to access the patio without walking through the indoor dining room. Only service dogs are allowed inside of a restaurant.

Q: Can my dog sit at the table with me?
A: No. Dogs that accompany their owners to restaurants with dog-friendly dining patios are always required to be on a leash and under the owner’s control. Dogs are not allowed to be on tables, chairs or other furniture at the restaurant. The pet owner must ensure their dog does not come into contact with tableware or utensils at the restaurant.

Q: Is my dog allowed to eat with me on a dog-friendly dining patio?
A: No. To protect the public’s health and safety, dogs are not allowed to eat on a dog-friendly dining patio. Some dogs become aggressive around food and eating stimulates a dog’s digestive system increasing the likelihood that they will vomit or defecate immediately afterward.

Q: What if my dog has an accident while on the dog-friendly patio?
A: Restaurants with approved dog-friendly dining patios are required to have materials available for cleaning up after a dog, if an accident occurs.

Q: If it is hot outside, can a restaurant give my dog water?
A: If you visit a restaurant with a dog-friendly patio, the restaurant can provide a single-use, disposable bowl of water that you can give your pet away from the dining area. Dogs are not allowed to eat or drink in the dining area.

Q: Will restaurant employees be able to pet my dog?
A: Restaurant employees working with and around food are not allowed to touch or pet animals. For more information, contact your County Environmental Health Office  or visit our Food Page and download a copy of the Georgia Food Service Rules and Regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Non-Profit Food Service Events

Click here for available jobs and then filter on Environmental Services. Then apply.