To file a general complaint or a foodborne illness report concerning a public food service or lodging establishment use the resources below. Please know the Division has specific and limited authority and cannot enforce all complaint issues (see the table below).
Online Consumer Complaint Form – Word / Fill-in PDF
DBPR HR 7003, form available to the public for making complaints concerning public food service establishments, public lodging establishments or elevators in Florida. (March 10, 2008)
Online Foodborne Illness Complaint Form – Word / Fill-in PDF
DBPR HR 7004, form available to the public for reporting instances of foodborne illness resulting from eating a public food service establishment in Florida. (March 10, 2008)
The following tables list common complaint issues that the Division can and cannot enforce.
These lists are not all-inclusive and are not intended to provide a full list of all potential complaint issues addressed by the Division.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation does not license or regulate public food services located in schools, nursing homes and jails, or bars that do not serve food. Please contact the Florida Department of Health for assistance with these types of complaints. In addition to accessing their website, the Florida Department of Health can also be contacted by calling 850-245-4250.
Food Service
YES, CAN ENFORCE | NO, CANNOT ENFORCE |
Food borne illness complaints | Customer service |
Restaurant cleanliness | Reservations or cancellations |
Clean dishware and glassware | Menu items or prices |
Rats, roaches, or other bugs and pests | Refusal of service – Report discrimination to the Florida Commission on Human Relations |
Food storage and handling | Cooked-to-order meats (i.e. rare steak or hamburger) not cooked to desired temperature. |
Food obtained from unapproved sources | Recipes used or method of preparation, such as grilled versus fried. |
Hand washing | Use of salt |
Glove use or alternate operating procedure | Fire safety issues – Contact the local fire authority |
Smoking in restaurants that do not serve alcohol | Smoking in bars or restaurants that serve alcohol – Contact the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco |
Notice of automatic gratuity | Gratuity amount or conditions for automatic gratuity |
Misrepresentation of food product | Food service at hospitals – Contact the Agency for Health Care Administration |
Unlicensed public food service | Food service at jails and schools – Contact the Department of Health |
Bakeries, groceries, seafood stores, convenience stores – Contact the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services | |
Alcohol licenses – Contact the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco | |
Americans with Disabilities Act issues – Contact the U.S. Department of Justice | |
Grading or ranking of restaurants | |
Gift certificates | |
Credit card charges or refunds | |
Discrimination – Contact the Florida Commission on Human Relations | |
Tax-related concerns or issues – Contact the Department of Revenue | |
Local laws and ordinances – Contact the local government |
Nontransient Apartments
YES, CAN ENFORCE | NO, CANNOT ENFORCE |
Balcony or railing safety | Structural problems that are not readily observable – Contact your local building code enforcement authority. |
Exterior doors close and lock | Appliances or cabinets in your apartment |
Excessive trash on the property | Cleanliness of your apartment |
Rats and other vermin on the apartment complex property | Rats, roaches, or other bugs or pests inside your apartment |
Heat provided, as necessary, and able to maintain 68 degrees | Air conditioning |
Sewage backed-up on the apartment complex property | Issues addressed in the lease |
Sewage backed-up in your apartment | Mold or mold damage not related to readily observable structural problems |
Unlicensed activity | Swimming pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzis – Contact the Department of Health |
Readily observable structural problems | Smoke detectors or other fire safety issues – Contact the local fire authority |
Security deposit issues with court adjudication of fault against the landlord | Security deposit issues without court adjudication of fault against the landlord |
Local laws and ordinances – Contact the local government | |
Management companies or marketing, including signs | |
Smoking inside apartments or on the property | |
Rent amount or increases | |
Evictions | |
Parking | |
Tenant and guest behavior and noise | |
Utility charges, third-party billing, or any services or charges included in the lease – Contact the Public Service Commission for utility concerns | |
Injury to persons or property | |
Americans with Disabilities Act issues – Contact the U.S. Department of Justice | |
Single-family homes rented as a permanent residence | |
Duplexes and other residential rental properties with 4 or fewer apartments. | |
Discrimination – Contact the Florida Commission on Human Relations | |
Lost or stolen property or other police matters | |
Tax-related concerns or issues – Contact the Department of Revenue |
Transient Lodging
YES, CAN ENFORCE | NO, CANNOT ENFORCE |
Balcony or railing safety | Structural problems that are not readily observable – Contact the local building code enforcement authority. |
Clean dishware and glassware | Licensed agent or management company business practices or marketing, including signs posted |
Excessive trash on the property | Construction nuisances such as noise |
Rats, roaches, or other bugs and pests in the room or rental unit | Swimming pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzis – Contact the Department of Health |
Heat provided, as necessary, and able to maintain 68 degrees | Air conditioning |
Showers, toilets, and sinks working | Optional clothes laundering services |
Room cleanliness and condition | Amenities available |
Clean towels and sheets provided in hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts | Optional toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, and lotion |
Hearing impaired smoke detectors available | Smoke detectors or other fire safety issues – Contact the local fire authority |
Ice machines and ice buckets | In-room coffee makers or clothes irons |
Smoking in enclosed lobbies | Smoking inside rental units or rooms or on the property |
Unlicensed activity | Refusal to rent (except based on age to active military personnel) – Report discrimination to the Florida Commission on Human Relations |
Overbooking and help locating alternate accommodations | Reservations or cancellations |
Exterior doors close and lock | Evictions |
Pre-paid reservations | Customer service |
Readily observable structural problems | Rental amount |
Appliances in room | Gift certificates |
Refusal to rent based on age for active military personnel | Credit card charges |
Americans with Disabilities Act issues – Contact the U.S. Department of Justice | |
Guest behavior and noise | |
Lost or stolen property or other police matters | |
Discrimination – Contact the Florida Commission on Human Relations | |
Tax-related concerns or issues – Contact the Department of Revenue | |
Local laws and ordinances – Contact the local government |
Quick Links
Need Help?
All requests for public records, complaints, forms, and applications for licenses can be obtained by contacting the Customer Contact Center.
Steven von Bodungen, Director
Division of Hotels and Restaurants
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011
Telephone: 850.487.1395
Email: dhr.info@myfloridalicense.com