Henderson County Department of Public Health: Environmental Health

Environmental Health

Rabies in North Carolina...Visit the N.C. Epidemiology Branch to find answers to your questions about rabies, the history of rabies in our state, and current rabies data.

West Nile Virus, Mosquitoes and Waste Lagoons...Questions have risen since the West Nile Virus made headlines late in the summer of 1999 from New York City. Find out the history, risks, current outlook, and prevention measures of West Nile by visiting the N.C. Department of Environmental Natural Resources.

Seth Swift, RS, Environmental Health Supervisor
Vicky Goings, RS, Program Specialist Onsite Sewage
Mike McHugh, RS, Program Specialist Food/Lodging

1200 Spartanburg Highway, Suite 100
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 692-4228

Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

For questions or complaints, please contact us.

Fee Schedule

Forms & Applications

Directions & Bus Service

The Environmental Health Division is responsible for ensuring Henderson County residents of having a clean and healthful environment in which to live, work, and play. This is accomplished through education, inspections, and active enforcement of county and state rules and regulations.

Food & Lodging, & Institution Sanitation

Food, lodging, and institution sanitation helps to ensure the public that establishments operating in Henderson County meet the minimum sanitation standards as required by the NC Dept of Environment and Natural Resources. Henderson County Environmental Health Specialists routinely inspect all the following establishments.

hotels, motels, inns
restaurants, food & drink stands
summer camps
meat markets
schools and educational institutions, hospitals, day care centers, jail
nursing and rest homes, residential care
hot dog carts, mobile food units

Inspections include the establishment's level of cleanliness, food handling practices and proper food protection during preparation, storage and transportation. After inspection, the establishment receives a certified card with a Grade of A, B, or C. Each establishment is required to display their Grade Card in a prominent location for the public to see. Visit the Restaurant Grades web site for the most current grades for dining establishments in Henderson County.

New and temporary dining establishments in Henderson County must have applicable licenses and permits. Inspectors will work closely with owners and management to ensure the quality and safety of food service to the public.

Permits for
New Restaurants

Application (pdf)
Application (Word)
Fee Schedule

Application is made on a prescribed form with submittal of full plans of the facility. Once plans are reviewed, and approved, a letter is sent to the applicant.

Once construction is complete and the applicant has obtained all building department, zoning, and fire approvals, a pre-permitting inspection is conducted. If the facility has been constructed in compliance with the approved plans and state and local regulations, the applicant may apply for and obtain a food service license.

Permits for a Temporary Food Service License

Temporary food service permits are issued for events that are a maximum of 15 days duration. Inspections are conducted during the event to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.

For more information about the food, lodging, and institution sanitation, visit the following NC Public Health links.

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Tattoo Parlor Permits

The Department of Public Health issues permits for any establishment and/or individual that offers tattoo services. The establishment and/or individual is inspected yearly by an Environmental Health Inspector. Please refer to the fee schedule for tattoo permit fees.

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On-Site Waste Water (Septic) Program

North Carolina general statutes state that a person owning or controlling a residence, place of business, or place of public assembly shall provide an approved sanitary sewage system. As a result, the Commission for Health Services has compiled rules and regulations addressing the placement, design, installation, and maintenance of subsurface ground absorption sewage disposal systems. The Environmental Health Section of the Department of Public Health acts as authorized agents of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and ensures that these rules and regulations are enforced and the public's health is protected.

Permits for
Sewage Disposal
System

Required Paperwork (pdf)
Required Paperwork (Word)

Septic Application (pdf)
Septic Application (Word)

Fee Schedule

Applications for lot evaluations for a subsurface sewage disposal permit can be made at the Department of Public Health on Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00 pm. An application fee is required as well as a plat of the property. The Environmental Health Specialist will make a site evaluation based on the following factors:

Topography and landscape position
Soil characteristics
Soil wetness
Soil depth
Restrictive horizons
Available space

Once the lot has been evaluated and approved an Authorization to Construct Permit for a subsurface sewage disposal system is issued. (This permit is also used to obtain building permits at the County Inspections Department, Allen Street, Hendersonville) Once the septic system is installed, another inspection is performed, and if approved an Operations Permit is issued to the property owner.

For more information about on-site wastewater (septic) program, visit the following NC Public Health links.

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Water & Well Program

Local Ordinance regulates the location, construction, and repair of private water supply wells and abandonment of all wells.

Permits for
Well Systems

Fee Schedule

Applications for a well installation, repair or abandonment may be made Monday through Friday between 8:00am to 4:00pm. An application fee is required. Once the site has been evaluated and approved the permit is issued.

An inspection is required during different stages of construction, repair or abandonment. When all the inspections are completed and approved a Well Completion Permit is issued.

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Pool Sanitation Program

Local inspectors work to ensure all public swimming pools in Henderson County operate in accordance to the regulations set by the Department of Environmental Health and Natural Resources. Frequent inspections are conducted to ensure proper water quality, construction, and safety standards are maintained. No pool can be open to the public unless an Operations Permit is obtained from an inspector.

For more information about the Pool Sanitation Program, visit the following links.

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Mosquito & Vector Control

Vector infestation can be destructive, a nuisance, and a public health hazard. The Environmental Health sections maintain a program to control and prevent these public health problems.

For more information about the Mosquito & Vector Control program, visit the following web links.

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Lead Investigation

Lead poisoning occurs when too much lead is in the body. Even small amounts of lead from old paint chips or leaded dust can harm the body, especially in children younger than 6. A blood test is the only way to detect lead poisoning and is recommended in children ages 1 through 5. If you suspect lead exposure, contact your health care provider about obtaining a blood test for lead. If an individual is found to have an abnormal level of lead in their blood, an Environmental Health Specialist at the Department of Public Health will help coordinate investigative services with the State.

The Henderson County Department of Public Health does not conduct environmental lead testing (paint chips, dust, soil, water, etc.) but can refer the public to local resources.

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Environmental Health Resources

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Henderson County Department of Public Health
1200 Spartanburg Highway, Suite 100
Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792
(828) 692-4223