The Consumer Health staff issues permits and inspect businesses that offer:

• Tattooing
• Permanent cosmetics
• Ear and body piercing

All businesses that intend to perform body art procedures must get a license from the Municipality or Borough within the SCDOH service area prior to operation. Permitted businesses are then inspected once a year or more frequently if necessary.  

Child care centers serving six (6) or more children under the age of 13 must be licensed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and local jurisdictions. Child care centers are inspected at least one (1) time during the year.

These facilities are inspected for:

• General sanitation conditions
• Administrative concerns
• Physical structure issues that may pose a threat to occupants inside or outside the building.  

Submit an online complaint* for Bedminster, Bound Brook, Far Hills, Franklin, Manville, Middlesex Borough, North Plainfield, Raritan, Somerville or South Bound Brook: https://myhealthdepartment.com/scdoh/

*Be advised that any housing complaints, must include contact information. 

Staff also investigate complaints regarding childhood lead poisoning, public health nuisances, and rabies control. 

Public Health Nuisance Investigations

Consumer Health staff respond to reports from the public for the following nuisances:

• Vermin (insects / rodents)
• Heat (Rental units)
• Mold (Rental units)
• Garbage and Debris
• Property Maintenance Issues
• Weeds
• Odors
• Water supply (Rental units)
• Sewage Disposal (Septic malfunctions / Sewer overflows)
• Housing (Multiple Family Dwellings) 

Rabies Control Program

Consumer Health staff receive and investigate reports of animal bites to humans in order to control exposure to known or suspected rabid animal.

• SCDOH will work with hospitals and medical facilities to advise victims on proper treatment options.
• Owners of animals that have attacked or bitten a person are contacted and sent a Notice of Confinement from the Municipality or Borough.
• After 10 days, animals are checked for signs of rabies by a veterinarian.  
• If the animal shows no signs of disease, it is released from quarantine.
• Individuals bitten by wild animals or strays are referred to their physicians to determine if rabies treatment is appropriate.

Most municipalities or Boroughs within the SCDOH service area have ordinances requiring licensing of dogs and sometimes cats. The ordinances require owner to have proof of current rabies shots for their pets. 

The Consumer Health staff inspect kennels and pet shops for general sanitation and animal welfare issues. All new facilities must submit a plan of the facility for review and approval to the SCDOH prior to operation. Permitted businesses are then inspected once a year or more frequently, if necessary. 

Consumer Health staff inspect businesses within contracted municipalities that require these facilities to be licensed.

These facilities are inspected for sanitation issues as well as the proper licensing of the individuals performing these activities.  Inspections are conducted at least once a year.  

Consumer Health staff inspect public recreational bathing places including:

• Swimming pools
• Wading pools
• Hot tubs
• Spas
• Bathing beaches
• New or altered swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs, and spas

All facilities are inspected a minimum of twice per year. A recreational bathing pool or spa may be closed by SCDOH when such action is necessary to abate a present or threatened menace to public health. This could include conditions such as physical safety hazards or failure to meet water quality standards. 

Public Pool Pre-Operational Checklist 

The tasks listed in the checklist must be completed and submitted to the appropriate organizations before the Somerset County Department of Health can conduct a pre-operational inspection to open the pool for the season.

Consumer Health staff inspect all restaurants and other retail food establishments at least once a year. This also includes:

• Schools
• Daycare centers
• Special events
• Any place where food is served or sold to the public

Staff also investigate complaints regarding retail food establishments and food-borne disease outbreaks with the County Epidemiologist.  

If you are opening a new establishment or renovating an existing establishment, you must call the Somerset County Department of Health at 908-231-7155 to submit plans and arrange for a pre-operational inspection.  

Information packets and applications are found on the "Applying for a permit" page. 

Consumer Health staff witness permeability tests, review septic system designs and issue permits for new system installation and existing systems requiring an alteration or repair.  

Staff also investigate reports of malfunctioning septic systems, public sewer overflows and odors associated with both.

For information on septic system maintenance please refer to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection website or contact us.

Effective April 15, 2006, indoor public places and workplaces across the State were made smoke free to ensure that workers, children, and senior citizens can breathe smoke free air in public places.  

The law affects the following types of indoor public places and workplaces:

• Any enclosed location at which a person performs any service or labor
• Restaurants and bars 
• Public transportation systems
• Child care centers
• Health care facilities, patient waiting rooms and nursing homes 
• Sports facilities including racetracks and bowling alleys 
• Theatres, clubs, concert halls, public libraries, museums, art galleries 
• Shopping malls and retail stores 
• Parking facilities, lobbies, elevators
• Lodging – hotels, motels, etc. (smoking is allowed in up to 20% of guest rooms) 
• Bingo facilities 

The SCDOH can assist the public and business owners alike in providing information, education and enforcement of this law. Click here for more information on the requirements to obtain an exemption from the New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act.

In 2009, regulations went into effect that established minimum safety and sanitation standards for the operation of tanning facilities in order to protect the health and safety of consumers that patronize these businesses.

All tanning facilities are required to register with the New Jersey Department of Health.

The rules cover areas such as:

• Patron age requirements
• Equipment
• Employee training
• Record keeping

The Consumer Health Unit personnel perform annual inspections at these tanning facilities.

In 2013, New Jersey amended the tanning facilities law.  Under the new law, minors under 17 years of age are banned from using tanning beds and minors less than 14 years of age are prohibited from using spray-tanning facilities. 

Consumer Health staff review plans for the construction and installation of residential potable and non-potable wells. Other responsibilities include:

• Physical inspection of all new well installations
• Review required water analysis to ensure compliance with state and local standards
• Respond to and investigate water samples that exceed water quality standards 

Public campgrounds and youth camps are inspected annually for:

• Sanitary conditions
• Site conditions
• Hazard activity
• Water front safety
• Food and water safety