Environmental Health Division

Online Services Unavailable: Effective 12/26/25, online services will be unavailable while we develop our new & improved site. Please contact us for any questions or assistance with applications & payments.

Fee Schedule(PDF, 83KB)
Download the PDF or call the EH office at (607) 274-6688, or inquire by email.

Save Time! Understand the process before you submit your permit application.

Contact us by phone (607) 274-6688, or email.

Fee Schedule(PDF, 83KB)
Operating permit, plan review, development, and other fees

• Indoor Mold Concerns
• Indoor Carbon Monoxide
• Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA)
• Exterior Paint Removal Guidelines
• Outdoor Air Quality
  • Air Quality Index (AQI) Basics
  • Current AQI status for Ithaca

Permits required.

• Children's Camps page
• Fact sheets
• Safety Plans

Permits required.

Issues permits, inspects facilities and reviews and approves plans. Provides educational information (handouts, posters, stickers, etc.), seminars and training.

Online Services Unavailable: Effective 12/26/25, online FSE Permit Renewal services will be unavailable while we develop our new & improved site. Please contact us for any questions or assistance with applications & payments.

• Food program page
• Temporary Food Service Permits for serving food to the public at events
• Inspection data for all permitted food service facilities

Permits required.

Ensure systems are designed and constructed to protect neighborhoods and county water resources. Previously referred to as "Sewage Systems".

• OWTS page
• Sewage system maintenance for homeowners

Pet vaccination required.

Investigates potential rabies exposures, coordinates post exposure treatment for members of the community, and organizes free rabies clinics. Provides educational information, alerts, and monthly reports.

• Rabies page
• Rabies Vaccination Clinics - All pets must be vaccinated against rabies. EH sponsors free rabies vaccination clinics at locations throughout the county 3 times a year; spring, fall, and winter.
• Reporting Dog or Cat Bites
• Rabies Vaccination Law in New York State
• Reporting Possible Cases of Rabies in Wildlife
• Bats in the Home

• Download the Tompkins County Sanitary Code PDF directly from eCode360 (Chapter S) to assure most up-to-date version.
• If you are having trouble with the eCode360 site, download this PDF of the Sanitary Code(PDF, 83KB), which was accessed from eCode360 on 4/23/2024.
• Complete Tompkins County Code at eCode360.

Permits required.

Permits and inspects annually all public swimming pools and beaches.

• Swimming pools and Beaches page

Enforce laws in worksites, public places, and retail sales to minors (ATUPA.) Investigate complaints and educate.

• Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) compliance
• Use of Electronic Cigarettes or other ENDS in public places
• ATUPA information and violations
• Tobacco-21 Information. Effective July 1, 2017, the minimum legal age for tobacco sales is 21 years in Tompkins County.

Permits required.

Monitor public water systems to ensure safe drinking water quality and to aid homeowners with water problems.

• Water page
• HABs, Harmful Algal Blooms
• Drought Monitor

Services and Activities

• Communicable Disease Control: Investigate and analyze all food and water-borne illnesses.
• Environmental Health Emergencies: Investigate situations which may cause public health problems.
• Mobile Home Parks: Inspect for safety, sanitation, and drinking water quality.
• Recreation Facilities: Inspect for adequate staffing, fire safety, drinking and swimming water quality.
  
  • Children's Camps
  • Swimming Pools & Beaches
• Residential Development: Approve residential developments, sewer and water extensions, and treatment plants to ensure safe and healthy communities.
• Sewage (See OWTS)

Topic Links

• Harmful Alga Blooms (HABs)
• Healthy Neighborhoods Program
• Hydrilla
• Lead Poisoning Prevention
• ATUPA Violations
• Temporary Food Service Permit
• Vector-borne Diseases