It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a food service establishment without having first obtained a valid food service establishment permit. Such permits shall be issued by the county board of health or its duly authorized representative, subject to supervision and direction by the Department of Human Resources; but, where the county board of health is not functioning, such permit shall be issued by the Department of Human Resources. Such permits shall be valid until suspended or revoked and shall not be transferable with respect to person or location. Nothing contained in this article shall prevent any municipality from adopting rules and regulations governing the licensing and operation of food service establishments.