Dubois County adopts updated retail food, bed-and-breakfast ordinance

The Dubois County Commissioners adopted Ordinance 2026-01 on Jan. 20, updating local rules that govern retail food establishments and bed-and-breakfast operations across the county. The amendment, presented by Health Department Environmental Specialist Christina Pierini, incorporates state sanitation standards and revises permit, inspection and enforcement procedures.

Pierini told the commissioners the ordinance amends Ordinance 2019-09 to define terms such as "bed and breakfast establishment," "priority item," and "imminent health hazard," and to align local requirements with Indiana Code citations and Indiana State Department of Health rules, including 410 IAC 7-15.5 and 410 IAC 7-26. The ordinance sets permit terms, fees, pre-operational inspection requirements, and a process for plan review and denial notices.

Under the new rules, permits for retail food establishments will be issued for one year, seasonal and temporary permits have defined maximum terms, and mobile retail food units must operate from an approved commissary. The ordinance also specifies inspection frequency, corrective-action time frames (priority violations must be corrected within the period specified by the Health Department, not to exceed 72 hours), and administrative hearing procedures for repeated violations.

Pierini emphasized that the ordinance gives the Dubois County Health Department tools to require immediate corrective actions for imminent health hazards and to pursue penalties, injunctive relief or permit revocation when operators fail to comply. The ordinance includes provisions for public disclosure of inspection reports, with limited trade-secret exceptions.

Commissioners voted to approve Ordinance 2026-01 as presented. The ordinance takes effect upon adoption and publication as required by law.